Awful Library Books

What may not belong in a library any longer, could have a home on my bookshelf. These books are great, in an awful way, as the bloggers so rightly describe. Librarians, send them my way!

Facebook Manners and You

If you've ever enjoyed ye olde health and hygiene films, you'll enjoy this, with a more modern twist.

Wedding Fashion

Readers of this site might enjoy this exhibit from the Victoria and Albert Museum, Wedding Fashion. Some beautiful images here! And sorted by "fashion period," so you can read about wedding advice from the past then go look up some pictures, to get a well-rounded experience.

Mr. America

There's a new biography out, by Mark Adams, about one of my favorite authors, Bernarr Macfadden.

It's called How Muscular Millionaire Bernarr Macfadden Transformed the Nation Through Sex, Salad, and the Ultimate Starvation Diet.

The Post had a review today - I haven't read the book yet but plan to pick up a copy!

Birds and the Bees Poll

My brother's site iBrattleboro.com has a fun poll this week: I learned the most about 'the birds and the bees' from...

My response was "books" of course. Yours?

Birthday Chats with Tomorrow's Man - a little family history

cover
Originally uploaded by Miss Abigail.

I recently had the pleasure of hearing from a woman named Robin, the granddaughter of Louis Le Claire Jones, author of the 1940 Birthday Chats with Tomorrow's Man. She had done a Google search after finding a photocopy of her grandfather's book and stumbled across this site. She writes "I've known for years that he had created this book for his sons Bob, Dick and Bill Jones (Bob was my Dad. Dick and Billy were my Uncles)... I never got to meet either of my Father's folks. Daisy, his Mom, died while the sons were fairly young, and Louis died a few years before I was born in 1948. I can only assume that the dedication in the front of the book is referring to her...." She told me that he was a musician, as was Daisy. The book is illustrated with some cartoons, and we both wonder if Louis created these (she thinks he might have). She goes on to report: "Here is a fun bit of info for you: beneath the printer's name in the front of the book, you will see Distributors: Richards and Williams 112 S. Scoville Ave, Oak Park, IL. Richard and William were my Dad's younger brothers, and 112 S. Scoville is where they grew up!! I think Louis had a sense of humor."

To get a taste of some of her grandfather's advice, visit Tips for the Turned Down and The Nerve!

Thank you, Robin, for sharing this wonderful information! I love to hear from the families of authors of my books; if there are others of you out there, please get in touch.

New York Public Library Event of Interest

Looks like this NYPL event could be fun for those interested in vintage craft books (of which I have a few). Too bad I have to work (and live 4 hours away)!