PBS made me smarter

There was a time, long ago, when ordinary folks did not have cable, Hulu, satellite, or digital television.  They walked over to the television and turned it on.  "Channel surfing" was when a child sat by the television knob and changed the channels for their parents.  The TV was a part of the living room furniture, sometimes housed inside of a lovely wooden cabinet.  Average households owned one television and the family watched whatever mom or dad wanted to watch.
I recall sitting next to my father getting a history lesson while he watched The World at War on TV.  Was I enthralled with history at the tender age of five?  Absolutely not.  I was there because I wanted to spend time with my Dad and that's what he was doing.  Because I was so young, I believed for a time that the world was still at war and that Adolf Hitler was coming to get me.  My father reassured me that I didn't need to worry about Hitler but then jokingly told me to beware of my mother, whose ancestry is German.
Our family must have been big fans of PBS during my childhood because I remember watching Masterpiece Theatre with my mother.  There must have been something I liked about Upstairs, Downstairs even though I didn't understand the story.  I enjoyed the majestic musical introduction more than anything else.  The introduction to the show Mystery! was also a favorite of mine along with the host, Vincent Price.  Again, I didn't fully understand what I was watching but I did learn to recognize Hercule Poirot and to laugh when Rumpole spoke of "she who must be obeyed".

During my childhood, kids were already being told to stop watching television and go outside and enjoy the sunshine.  (This was also known as the "TV will rot your brain" speech that has been made by millions of mothers through the years.)  Without getting too deeply involved in statistics, I don't recall anyone I knew being rushed to the hospital for TV brain rot.
Those moments of sharing with my parents did spark some diverse interests in me.  Thanks to my dad, who continues to faithfully watch every military history documentary available, I have a deep and lasting interest in history.  Thanks to my mom, I have a special place in my heart for English authors like Charles Dickens, Robert Graves, Graham Greene, Jane Austen, and  Charlotte Bronte.  So, despite my mother's adamant warnings every summer, I don't think the television rotted my brain, at least not until much later when my dad started to experiment with buying cable and MTV invaded our home.

Sometimes during my work at the library, I have the opportunity to share the books that are the source of a patron's favorite movie, documentary, or TV show.  The History Channel produces the show, "How the States Got Their Shapes".  I love walking patrons back to the 973's so they can check out both of Mark Stein's books on the origin of our states and the unique people that populate them.  Someone might mention to me how much they enjoy the mini-series, Band of Brothers.  This leads us to Stephen Ambrose, whose body of work is large and varied, a veritable buffet for the history lover.
Many patrons are unaware that the show Downton Abbey is based on a memoir by Margaret Powell.  This memoir was also the basis for Upstairs, Downstairs.  There are also companion books to the Downton Abbey series as well as a book about Highclere Castle, the setting for the TV series.  Are we all enamored by the tremendous differences in lifestyle that are highlighted so clearly by this show?  Perhaps we are enthralled with the idea of loyal, deferential servants at our beck and call.  It might be the lovely setting and the fabulous costumes.  Whatever the case may be, clearly I am not the only child who learned to appreciate the world of the BBC at her parents' knee.  And maybe those memories are what drives us back to shows like Downton Abbey and books like Pride and Prejudice.

It's Inevitable, Unavoidable, Inescapable

"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."  This quote from Benjamin Franklin's correspondence is particularly appropriate this time of year when thoughts of W-2s and 1040s preoccupy our thoughts.  Starting in January every year, tax form and booklet questions become the FAQs at your local library.  Unfortunately, those people behind the desk cannot predict when the forms and booklets will arrive any more accurately than they could predict the patron's demise.  They don't know when, they simply know that these events shall come to pass.
"Can you tell me which form I should use?"  This is the beginning of a transaction in which the patron reveals a variety personal information while the person behind the desk waves their hands frantically to stop them.  The simple answer is "No".  They can show you where the state and federal forms are located in the building.  They can give you booklets and a toll free number to receive tax help from the state or the IRS, but they cannot tell you which forms to use or give out any form of tax advice.
There are several library resources available to the public which your local librarian will be overjoyed to share with you.  Every year the J.K. Lasser institute publishes a personal income tax guide.  Ernst & Young also publishes income tax guides for the fiscally confused.  In addition to those items, the library also houses large binders (courtesy of the federal government) that contain a variety of current tax forms as well as binders with forms from the past six years.  If patrons still can't find the information they seek, librarians will print forms and give other informational aid but they cannot, they will not, do your taxes.  Don't ask them.  They can't do it; it is verboten.
Some may prefer Margaret Mitchell's take on Benjamin Franklin's famous quote from her book Gone with the Wind.  "Death, taxes, and childbirth!  There's never any convenient time for any of them."  So true for the average person.  The pattern seen at the library is that those expecting a refund are requesting forms almost before the new year begins while those who pay tend to wait until the bitter end.  These must be devotees of Mark Twain, the originator of the statement, "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow."
Just because the librarian can't do your taxes for you doesn't mean that there is no reason to visit the library during tax season.  After all, if you're the patron who is waiting until April to do your taxes, now is the time to catch up on your reading or get those movies you were considering watching.  If you are more like the ants than the grasshoppers and are busily getting your tax information together, what could be more appropriate than finding some soothing music to enjoy during the task?  For those who prefer to procrastinate, try something with a little heft like The Hour of Peril:  The Secret Plot to Murder Lincoln Before the Civil War by Daniel Stashower.  For those in the process of getting things done, there is a large box set called That's Entertainment:  The Ultimate Anthology of M-G-M Musicals.  A good round of cheery show tunes can certainly help pass the time during an onerous task.

If you don't know which category you fall into (ant or grasshopper), go to your local library to inquire about tax forms and booklets.  If they don't have any yet (and many of them don't or only have a limited supply) use the opportunity to browse the various library collections.  Find that movie you've been thinking about but weren't quite sure you would like it.  Take The Artist for example.  It's an award winning film that's in black and white with old-fashioned sub-titles.  It's may not be your usual fare but it is certainly different (the story line is a little "Singing-in-the-Rain-esque") and the little dog is talented and adorable.  One could spend time browsing the CD collection.  If show tunes aren't for you, take the time to peruse the large selection of musical genres or find your favorite artist or group.

What if your library does have the necessary tax forms and booklets that you require but you choose to be a procrastinator?  Don't fret.  The wide variety of items at your library can now become your excuse to delay working on your tax return.  Maybe the IRS will accept that you were too busy watching all three seasons of Downton Abbey to fill out a 1040 so you sent them form 4868 instead.  Take heart, just because you may be a procrastinator doesn't mean you'll never get it done.  Some people believe in the power of procrastination, others believe they work better under pressure, still many believe the early bird gets the worm or the return. Whatever the case for you may be, eventually, Uncle Sam will require that it get it done.

Why won't you listen?

Sometimes it's torment.  Listening to a book that is poorly narrated can become agonizing for the listener.  It's almost embarrassing.  It's certainly frustrating.  Poor narration can be so distracting that the listener can no longer concentrate on the story.  You find yourself thinking about WHY the narrator is doing certain things (like using odd voices that don't seem true to the characters) instead of focusing your mind on the story.  Even a popular or bestselling book can be ruined by poor narration.  It can become so bad that one develops a distaste for a formerly favorite author because the audio book is awful.  Similar to readers who like to cleanse their reading palate by working through several books at the same time, those who listen to books usually have at least one book in reserve in case they come across an "audio-clunker". 
How do you find audio books with great narration?  Readers don't seem to discuss great audio books in the same way or as frequently as they do their favorite author, series, or genre.  Often the choices made in this area are based on availability and author name recognition.  Or simply the thought that the library bought it so it must be good, right?  Not necessarily.  As with all things that go through the selection process, just because a reviewer thought a book was fantastic, it does not mean that everyone else will.  It's a judgement call.

A classic-from the 2012 Listen List.

There are several excellent online resources for readers looking for their next good listen.  The online book community goodreads has an active discussion board dedicated to all things audio book.  Booklist, a respected library review source, publishes lists of great audio books courtesy of the "Audiobooker" blog which is found through Booklist online.  The American Library Association publishes the Listen List which is an award for outstanding narration.  They also have a page entitled ALA Recommended Listening which contains a plethora of links to a variety audio book lists for children, teens and adults.  Further audio book reviews can be found at audiofilemagazine.com and audiobookjukebox.com.
One place NOT to go for an audio book review is amazon.com.  All consumer reviews and published book reviews are linked to the book regardless of the chosen format.  This can be terribly misleading when one is simply looking for whether or not Emma Donoghue's book Room is worth a listen.

For non-fiction enthusiasts
 (2012 Listen List)

From the2012 Listen List,
this will
keep you in SUSPENSE.

Finding a good audio book can make your trip or commute a thing of joy.  Well, it can make the trip or commute pass much more pleasantly.  A good audio book will get you to your destination and force you to sit in your vehicle a few more minutes because you don't want it to end.  It's the same feeling that many readers get when they know they need to shut off the light and get some rest but they are compelled to finish the page they're reading or the last chapter.  Listening to a great performance together can become the stepping stone for a book discussion with your family and remain a wonderful shared experience.  Find even more time to expand your mind, listen to a good book.


Stop the holiday madness! Read.



"I have no time for reading.  It's the holiday season and I don't have two minutes to spare for myself."

"Reading in December is a luxury I cannot afford to give myself."

"Where on earth do you reading fanatics find the time to read AND discuss books?"
To all this I say, "Stop making excuses!"
We may not have snow on the ground yet but it will come.  On that day, I for one will be prepared to hunker down with my stack of books, hot cocoa, and a blazing fire.  Until then I will continue falling asleep with a book every night until that glorious snow day arrives.  It may take me almost forever to finish a book because I have to reread the parts I slept through the night before but I need the comfort of a book at night to help me shut down my overworked holiday brain.  This is another reason why I have not transitioned to an ereader.  I am afraid of getting a nosebleed or breaking the device when I pass out mid-sentence and everything tumbles onto the floor or my face.  In the meantime, I have to keep my mental and paper lists of what I want to read and have read and continually renew my books at the library because even though they're languishing in my pile, they're still a vital part of my reading plan.
Right now I am indulging myself with a little brain candy.  I just devoured Skipping Christmas for the third or fourth time and loved it just as much as the first time.  (This book has become a holiday tradition for me, like my sudden urge to watch with the Muppet Christmas Carol movie and Holiday Inn every December.  It's our tradition!  To the delight of my family, I also have the Holiday Inn music on CD.)  In an effort to expand my reading experience, I am now in the middle of Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris.  I don't find this as intellectually engaging as Deborah Harkness' books but I am reluctantly starting to like Sookie and Sam and Bill.  Who could not love a vampire named Bill? 
I am also attempting to work my way through Shadow Command by Dale Brown.  I think the last adventure book I read may have been My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George unless you count Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger as a mystery/adventure crossover.  Although I am having a difficult time with the large variety of characters (American, Russian, Iranian), weapons and acronyms, I am enjoying the concept behind the book.  Terrorists being annihilated through the use of advanced space weapons and surveillance by the "good guys" within the first 15 pages makes one hopeful that there will be more excitement to follow.  I don't think my inability to grasp the technical side of things is going hinder my overall enjoyment of the story line.  I have also decided to reinforce my understanding of the events in the book by listening to the audio book as well.
To rest my brain, I will sporadically go to Don't Know Much About the American Presidents by Kenneth Davis.  The "Don't Know Much" books are set up in such a way that you can read them according to the topics that interest you instead of cover to cover.  My son stole Ann Aguirre's Outpost from me which was my YA brain relaxation pick for the month.  The first book, Enclave was a quick read (a dark dystopia like to the Hunger Games) and I had hoped to counteract the overly sweet Hallmark movie channel feeling I get in December with Outpost.  I hope I don't go into holiday story sugar shock while I wait for him to finish the book.
Still despairing over catching up on your reading list?  Try a book on CD or if you haven't tried the Overdrive service through your library, take the time to browse their site and download a book onto any device you use for listening to music.  During December, we spend large amounts of time in the car or the kitchen.  Put a bookmark in your book and listen to the audio version while you do your running, baking, wrapping, or cleaning.  It's just as relaxing as holiday music.  You may find that listening to a book is the most relaxing and cheapest holiday vacation you'll ever take, even if it's with zombies or "kranky" neighbors.

I Got This One Just for You

Why real paper books are one of the best holiday gifts:

No batteries required, no power cord

Do not need to be put together in advance/no complicated instructions

No replacement parts
Never need to call technical support
Can be reused endlessly
Cannot be accidentally deleted or stuck in your "queue"
No downloading required
Requires actual thought on the part of the gift-giver
Screen never goes blank after 5 minutes
Your favorite pages will be dogeared by no one but you
Easy to share with friends (no Adobe account or upgrade required)
Easily replaced if lost/stolen/damaged
Beautiful illustrations can tell the whole story (no reading required)
Only falls asleep when you do
No calories
Allows reader to take a trip without the need for travel insurance, anxiety about drinking the water, or fear of being robbed or lost
Won't freeze up
May involve time travel/space travel without any scientific knowledge on the part of the reader
Never have to shut down during take-off or landing
Doesn't have to be brand new in order to have value
Easy to wrap
Can be dried out without wasting a bag of rice
Provides a different experience for each person who reads it

Looking for a meaningful gift this holiday season?  Would you like to give a gift that keeps on giving?  I'm not referring to ereaders, ipods, tablets or other electronic devices.  They have their day and then sit neglected and unused when the next hot item arrives on the scene.  Why not choose a book?  A real old-fashioned paper and ink, smells a little like glue and crackles when you're the first one to open it BOOK. 
A book can be a conduit for the reader to experience something new, fresh, and exciting.  Books are one of the few things that actually improve with age-sometimes the readers' age.  There are countless books that have remained enduring favorites.  Children are still willing to follow Alice down the rabbit hole, even thought it's been over one hundred years since she first took the plunge.  The experience you had reading The Hobbit as a child becomes something completely new when you read it again as an adult.  Children in particular know that being read to by someone who loves you or sharing a book with that person is a special memory.  You can't write a heartfelt inscription in your own handwriting on a book that is given electronically.

Of course my kids think they're too old to be read to and they certainly wouldn't want anyone to think they still enjoy picture books.  However, they aren't ready to get rid of any of their favorites just yet.  They have younger cousins who like to be read to when they visit us.  At those times, we can often find them digging through the bookshelves looking for their old favorites.  The pleasure they derive from sharing the book is twofold.  They joy of sharing with family, and the opportunity to remember "the good old days".  ("The good old days" refer to the years before they were at school all day and did nothing but play.)  I hope as they read aloud to the little ones, they hear the voices of their mother and father echoing in the background.  I still use quotes from some of their favorite books to let them know that I remember the good old days too...and those were good days. 



Reading Rut Reversal

Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias won countless contests during her lifetime.  I confess, she almost beat me.  Don Van Natta Jr.'s book Wonder Girl threw me into a reading slump for over three weeks.  I normally don't spend that much time on a book that I'm not enjoying.  I believe that if you reach a point where you realize you are forcing yourself to continue reading a book, it's time to stop and take stock.  Reading is supposed to be enriching.  It should give you pleasure, not fill you with distaste.  I found myself wondering why anyone would spend time with Babe no matter how good she was at athletics.  Not having read any other books about this person, I accept that she may have been an obnoxious, self-serving braggart who would take any advantage over her opponents.  That is the picture I was given by this biographer.  Unfortunately, about one fourth of the way into this book, I just couldn't take her anymore.  I had stalled out.  She threw me into a reading slump.  Usually when I hit the "reading wall" like this, I look ahead in the book to see if it's worth it to continue the journey.  Nope, none of her amazing sporting triumphs could tempt me back into the book.  For a short time I felt dazed, empty, and dull-witted.  I came to the realization that I must either force myself to conquer Wonder Girl or accept defeat.  I accepted defeat and returned Babe to the library because I was ready to stop wondering why I was still trying to finish it in the first place.

This kind of thing can happen to any reader and I admit that this is not the first time it's happened to me.  It's rare that I give up on a book but I couldn't take her braggadocious personality and frankly, it seemed like she was the villain in her own life story.  The last time I wanted to take a book and stomp on it, I was reading Margaret George's Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles which is over eight hundred pages long.  I loved her other historical fiction and this one seemed like the perfect pick for a long Thanksgiving weekend with plenty (maybe a little too much) of family time and no television.  There again, the main character made me so angry I couldn't finish the book.  I kept thinking, "Mary, you're a queen, please take some initiative in your life and stop letting everyone trick you into stupid, nefarious plots!"  Over five hundred pages in, I just couldn't empathize with this character and that was it.  I was so frustrated with her inexplicable, self-destructive behavior that I had to let her go.

There is no shame in returning books and admitting that you had to move on from one because it had bogged you down.  Like many things that can't be changed in life, just let it go.  I returned Babe and a few other books that I felt had contributed to my slump.  As soon as those books hit the bottom of the bin, I felt better.  My mind was clear, my brain was hungry, a burden had been lifted from my shoulders and I was ready to move on.  Now I have some books on my pile (and many more waiting for me) that fill me with the buzz of anticipation that I associate with the reading experience.  Last night I started Reached by Ally Condie.    This is the last book in an excellent trilogy which is comparable to the Hunger Games.  This author spends more time developing the personal relationships of the characters and there aren't a bunch of kids killing each other off.  It's a welcome break from Babe.  Patiently waiting their turn are a few other books that have nothing to do with sports.  First is Ellen Baker's Keeping the House because it's about Wisconsin and looks like a good match for my upcoming Thanksgiving read-a-thon.  The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin is appealing because the setting is in the Pacific Northwest and I get a little homesick during the holidays.  Also on stand-by is Millennium People by Ballard.  I loved Empire of the Sun (book and movie) and am intrigued when an author comes out with something new after a long hiatus.  Underneath Ballard is an annotated Pride and Prejudice.  I adore Jane Austen and usually revisit at least one of her books every year.  Recently I read a glowing review for Tina Fey's Bossypants on audio which inspired me to get that for the long car ride "up north".  I hope it lives up to its hype. 

Holiday time is upon us.  The parades start next week.  The decorations are draped all over the stores.  Black Friday advertisements are everywhere.  We must shop, bake, wrap, visit, clean for parties and write out cards.  Don't forget to take a break from the madness and soothe your brain with a good book or book on CD.  Believe me, you can't gear up for the holidays if start them out in a slump.

Just the pie, thank you, no turkey...

We are approaching the the happiest time of the year, the winter holidays.  Or is it the busiest time of the year?  The most hectic?  Frantic?  Does the thought of going into Walmart (or any other store) raise your blood pressure exponentially?  Are you looking forward to eating a delicious Thanksgiving meal or are you fretting about making an over sized turkey with all the trimmings for people that you aren't even sure you want to acknowledge as relatives?  Are you busy devising a plan of attack for 2am Black Friday shopping or are you hunkering down, waiting for the fanatics to leave the store so you can buy what you need?  This time of year is a mixed bag for most people.  Like everything else in life, attitude and perspective will determine how well things go for you personally.

I believe that I am mightily spoiled during the Thanksgiving holidays.  One could say that I married my spouse for his mother's cooking during this time of year.  I have only had to make a turkey for Thanksgiving ONCE.  I don't actually like the taste of turkey that much and I especially don't enjoy preparing the bird.  It's gross and it's all I can think about after the turkey is cooked, carved, and presented for the feast.  My thoughts bounce from what is in the stuffing,  to where the stuffing was while it was cooking, to cleaning out what was in the bird before we put the stuffing in it; it becomes an endless mental gymnastics exercise.  My nose, taste buds and stomach clamor for the delicious meal.  My brain says to flee the carcass!  My dream Thanksgiving cookbook would be part of the Fix It and Forget It cookbook line with a subtitle along these lines: put your entire turkey, stuffing, trimmings and side dishes into a crock pot and come back several hours later to enjoy it.  Sadly, no such book exists.  If it did, maybe I could make it through one Thanksgiving meal without any inner turmoil.  Thankfully, my mother-in-law makes a large variety of side dishes for the meal, so I am able to disguise my freakish fears (tiny turkey portion) under mounds of homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and a homemade roll.  I used to take a more than healthy portion of her divine stuffing until I realized that the slightly funny aftertaste was.....giblets.  Once I made the connection, there was not enough gravy in the world to help me overcome my distaste for stuffing.  The bonus side to having "mental taste problems" is that I legitimately have room left for her amazing homemade pumpkin pie and/or slab-apple pie topped with her homemade whipped cream. 

I realize that someday I may be called upon to be the Thanksgiving cook or at least participate beyond my usual offering of homemade cranberry sauce.  In preparation for that, I have started to peruse books specifically aimed at this meal.  Not because I think I could in any way prepare a better meal than the wonderful woman who has been making it for me for the past several years.  I am trying to overcome my fowl fear, more specifically my turkey terror, in an effort to do a credible job when my time comes.  Hopefully when that day arrives, I will see the same joy on people's faces that my mother-in-law witnesses when she presents her masterpiece of a meal.  Of course (as my husband once made the mistake of saying) mine will never taste like mom's.  I think I will aim for edible.  After all, isn't this time of year supposed to be about spending time with the people you love, not about how much you love turkey?