What Caught My Eye Online #29

The ALA, e-books, bookmarks, and more

Photo by Trnava University on Unsplash

I can’t believe it’s June. May can sometimes be a slog, but this year, it flew by for me. I’m not complaining! I only have nine days of work left for this school year, and I’m eagerly anticipating turning off my 5:00 a.m. alarm.

While I wait for that blessed day, here’s this week’s link roundup. Enjoy!

• Authors and publishing houses have signed a PEN America letter voicing their opposition to a new school book-banning law in South Carolina.

  • “The state's new regulations, slated to take effect on June 25, contain a strict prohibition on ‘sexual conduct,’ which critics insist is ‘vague’ and ‘overbroad’ and will lead to books being banned without consideration of ‘context, purpose, or educational value.’ The letter argues that the new regulations will threaten free expression and the freedom to read and run afoul of the First Amendment, adding that librarians and educators, not politicians, are best qualified to curate collections for schools and school libraries.”

• Here’s an important list from Kelly Jensen in which she shares places where library workers are forbidden from being part of the American Library Association. She writes:

  • “What begins at the local level moves to the regional level, then onto the state level when it comes to book bans. School book bans shift to public library book bans (despite claims made otherwise by those book banners), and then those bans find their way into the city or county level. In too many cases over the last four years, those city or county-level issues bubble to the state level, leading to legislation that does precisely the opposite of what the local-level regression seeks — local control is ceded to the state or country. This perspective is crucial for context as to why, in 2024, several states proposed legislation that would ban affiliation with the largest professional organization for library workers, the American Library Association (ALA).”

• I was one of millions touched and impressed by the poem Amanda Gorman read at President Biden’s inauguration. This article gives a brief overview of how Gorman has pushed back against book banning after having one of her books banned in Florida.

  • “Her unifying verses were drafted into a war erupting in classrooms over the inclusion of diverse authors addressing race and gender. Last May, Gorman’s poem, adapted into a book, was pulled from school shelves in Florida as the result of one parent’s complaint.

    Gorman, 26, swiftly took to Instagram to share the news with more than 3 million followers, advocating not just for herself but for the thousands of authors facing an unprecedented surge in book bans. With one post, she raised more than $80,000 for the literary and human rights nonprofit PEN America.”

• This is a fascinating look at how and at what cost libraries access e-books for their patrons. It’s a lot more expensive and complicated than you probably realize.

• Lit Hub is doing important work by providing the definitive ranking of bookmarks. I’m partial to #7 (a Post-it note).

• James Baldwin’s 100th birthday is approaching, and some of his books are being reissued to celebrate. Baldwin is one of my all-time favorite writers, so I will be needing all of these ASAP, particularly this box set. The set releases on June 18th, my last day of work for this school year, so I think it’ll make a nice present from me to me. I’ll act surprised.

• I haven’t read anything from Rachel Cusk, but I’d like to. Here are some suggestions of where to start.

• I love funny books, and Anne Bogel suggests 15 of them. I’ve read and enjoyed This Is Where I Leave You, The Guncle, Heartburn, Here for It, The Best of Me, and Musical Chairs, which I included in my free summer reading zine.

• Goodreads is sharing the most-read books of their 2024 reading challenge so far. I’ve read eight titles out of the top 12 in general fiction and loved each of them.

• Books and music site Largehearted Boy collects various playlists authors have put together for their books. I love this idea!

• June looks to be another great month for new books. Here are 12 must-read titles from the Chicago Review of Books.

• You’re never too young to learn about body positivity and that all bodies are good bodies. If you have little ones in your life, you might appreciate this book list featuring 12 picture books about body positivity.

• Do you want to learn more about history? Try a graphic novel.

• Kate Dwyer explores why debut novels are failing to launch for Esquire.

• What about sophomore novels? Book Riot shares eight of the best.

• As an indoorsy person who does not thrive in temperatures above 59, I feel seen by this summer reading list because it has a category featuring books for A/C lovers. It’s about time we’re represented.

• Raymond Carver is a master of the short story. Check out some of his writing advice.

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What caught your eye this week? Leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!