Susan Orlean

I listened to an interview last week with author Susan Orlean on KERA, which is my local NPR station.  You can find the interview here. She has written two books that I have always wanted to read, but never have. During the interview, she mentioned how she always tried to read the winner of the Man Booker Prize. I can honestly say, I have not looked at this list as a way to find good literature. When I worked at the library, I would post the list on social media, but that was about it. Ms. Orlean said it was a good place to find excellent fiction. If you have read any of the books on the list, or have read any of her books, please let me know.

We did go to the library this week. During the holidays, the library stops regular story times. The librarians need a break and no one comes, so why do the programs? This coming week will be the last week we go to the library for story time until January. I didn't get anything new, as I still have books at home that need to be read and a large stack of magazines. Here is what Baby girl picked (actually, she threw a lot of books at me at once and I picked these three):

Beach Babies Wear Shades by Michelle Sinclair Colman is a very cute, posh book. The illustrations are really lovely and the text is simple.  However, it does use slang and my child didn't know anything it was talking about.  I read it through to her twice before she turned away and didn't pick it up again all week.  

Maisy's Fire Engine by Lucy Cousins is part of a series of books about Maisy.  These books are simple and really wonderful.  I have used them in storytimes over and over again.  Kids really love them.  Baby Girl also loved this one.  I read it to her many times.  She really enjoyed it when I made cat sounds when reading about the cat that was stuck.  She also tried to eat this book, which I discouraged.  Don't eat the library books.  

Slow Snail by Mary Murphy is a great book about the adventures of a snail.  It's doesn't really have a plot, because it's a snail.  The great thing about this book is you get to follow the line of the path of the snail with your finger.  Baby Girl loved it.  She had me read it a few times and then looked at it on her own several times.

I finished The Stay At Home Survival Guide. It wasn't so much a guide as it was a book on Melisa Stanton's life. She claimed to have done a survey of stay at home moms, but I saw no scientific data or practical advice in the book. It seems like she asked her friends some questions and they had s conversation. She didn't include what questions she asked, how many people she asked to interview, or any demographic information. What I got from the book was that if I'm not careful, my husband will cheat on me. Not really a satisfying read.