#57

Exercise
Write a blog post about text messaging. Include the following in your post:

Have you ever sent a text message?
Yes, infrequently I send text messages. When I changed phones the process was somewhat different and I stopped. Having teenagers gave me incentive to message with text.

If you haven't, be sure to watch the video and read through the basics of sending a text message. Using this information, do you think you could send a message in an emergency?
Yes

If you have, was it only in an emergency or are you a regular texter?
Do you use text lingo? One reason I do not text regularly is that I don't know the short cuts and it takes me 4ever.
Did Lingo 2 Word help? I might try texting again if I can master the language! It is still the method my kids prefer.
Finally, what are your thoughts on the texting and driving after reading the New York Times article? I admit to talking on the phone while driving, but that is distracting enough and I shouldn't do that. Texting while driving is a real bad idea. I believe fines for text messaging would be reasonable.

#53 - Exercise 3

Exercise Three
Download an eBook. Spend at least half an hour reading it. Write about your experience on your blog. How did it compare with reading a traditional print copy? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of each format?


The Alpine Scandal
Emma Lord Mystery Series, Book 19 by Mary Daheim.

I find it very unsatisfying to read from a monitor. It is a good instrument if I were searching for particular information - but ebooks are not my idea of reading for enjoyment - it is a task. However, it is convenient and if searching for information it is preferable over print.

#53 - Exercise 2

Exercise Two
Search for one of the books you selected in the previous post. Is it available from a bookstore? Which one, and at what price? (In dollars or in other books.) Can you find an eBook or Audio version online? On which site did your find it? (If you can’t find it online, please list in your blog the sites you searched.)

Monkey's Raincoat is a novel by Robert Crais that I have not read. It is available at my local B&N for $7.19.

This title is a downloadable audio in the HCPL digital media collection

#54 - Exercise 3

Exercise Three

Search for one of the books you selected in the first post on at least two of the social networks. Do the ratings for the book differ on each site, or are they similar? Did you find anything surprising?



Pride & Prejudice on Goodreads has 107,463 ratings, 4.44 average rating, 9,449 reviews



When I searched Pride and Prejudice on Facebook I received over 500 results. Many groups formed around this book some are tagged as fans of the movies, others are groups about literature - biggest group has almost 14,000 members! I didn't find actual ratings as I did not want to add the application.

#54 - Exercise 2

Exercise Two


After viewing the resources above, what ideas come to mind for implementing a book club into your library. Post your thoughts and ideas onto your blog. Using one of the "live" book club resources, also look for a title that your book club could discuss.




Form an Online Book Club where participants would receive emails with a review and first few pages of the book. If they sign up for discussion they will continue to receive a few chapters a week with discussion on the last Monday of the month. This is styled on St. Louis County's emailbookgroup (http://www.emailbookclub.com/book/fiction.htm#top)

It is evident on Goodreads that Jane Austen's classics have made a serious comeback. The group will focus on these writings, starting with Pride and Prejudice.
.

#53 (1)

Using Houston.com search on books

Copperfield Books is located northwest of Houston and specializes in used books, although some books are new and some are collector items. There are two locations but no online site.

The Book Attic 27726 State Highway 249Tomball, TX 77375 - no online presence.

Barnes & Noble 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr Ste 272Spring, TX 77380 - there are actually 3 B&N stores in the general area of this library. Of course, there is a website for this bookseller. The website competes with Amazon with its ease to use and special features. I like the "customers who bought this item also bought" feature

#52 (4)

Using What's Next database found this series

Song of the Lioness quartet
Book 1 Alanna: The first adventure
Book 2 In the hand of the goddess
Book 3 The woman who rides like a man
Book 4 Lioness rampant

#52 (3)

What Should I Read Next selections:
Infernal: A Repairman Jack Novel - F. Paul Wilson
Privileged Information - Stephen White
Castle Waiting: The Lucky Road - Linda Medley

NovelList selections:
Dan Simmons
Greg Bear
John Saul

I looked at some of the other Readers Advisory sites in the blog...but you can't beat NovelList for answering this type of question!

#52 (2)

Suitable reading for 4th grade girl interested in animals

NovelList
(1) Title: Animals hibernating Contributed By: Hickman, Pamela M., Stephens, Pat, January 1, 2005
Description: Explains what hibernation is, how animals prepare for it, and which animals hibernate during the winter. School Library Journal reviews book for 3-5 grade audience.
(2) Black Beauty - autobiography of a horse. Author: Anna Sewell ; Originally published in 1877, this classic story, told from the animal's perspective, captures the struggles and triumphs of this magnificent creature from his early days as a free colt to an owned creature poorly treated by evil men. - illustrated by Lucy Kemp-Welch ; afterword by Peter Glassman

Books for 13 year old boy interested in ghost stories:

NovelList returns many possibilities and sorted by popularlity. Suggest
(1) Kit's Wilderness by David Almond
Summary:
Thirteen-year-old Kit goes to live with his grandfather in the decaying coal mining town of Stoneygate, England, and finds both the old man and the town haunted by ghosts of the past.
(2) Ghost Canoe by Will Hobbs
Summary:
Fourteen-year-old Nathan, fishing with the Makah in the Pacific Northwest, finds himself holding a vital clue when a mysterious stranger comes to town looking for Spanish treasure.

#52 (1) - Books, Readers and Beyond

1. Searched NovelList for Robert Crais read a likes. Found several authors I had not heard of. Went to What Should I read Next and received totally different feedback...liked that specific titles were suggested. This is a sservice I bookmarked and will return to this advisory.

Investigated the LibrarianInBlack....went to a link from this site to OCLC's FictionFinder and found the "cloud" interface overwhelming.

#54, Excercise 1

Post on your blog whether or not you ever been a member of a book club.

My neighborhood has a book club composed of under 10 women...we meet in each other's homes and serve lunch after the discussion. We read a mix of fiction and non fiction titles. Now that I am working I do not attend.

Also discuss whether you prefer joining a in-person or online book club.

Online would eliminate schedule conflicts and I may try joining an online group.