Writers and Editors

Sep 06, 2009 9:22 AM EDT

James Lee Burke and Dave Robicheaux deliver another tribute to librarians in The Tin Roof Blowdown, the 16th in his Robicheaux series--this time to a research librarian who, credibly, goes way beyond the call of duty for most research librarians. In addition to the great local color and case studies in people with anger management problems, this novel also suggests the greed, incompetence, and unfairly distributed tragedy that followed Hurricane Katrina.

- PM

May 29, 2010 1:10 PM EDT

I can never praise libraries enough, it appears. Today I went to pick up a novel on CD (The Help by Kathryn Stockett), whichI'd reserved at the Davis Library (in the wonderful Montgomery County library system),and in the parking lot an envelope containing four checks I was going to deposit fell out of my purse. Apparently someone picked up the envelope and brought it inside. When I stopped back by the library to see if someone had found my checks, I learned they had been turned in and librarian Marilyn Reside had placed them in the library safe. They retrieved it for me, smiling. When I got home, I found both an e-mail from librarian Kenneth Nero, telling me the envelope was being held for me, and a phone message. This is one set of civil servants that deserve more of out taxes than they are getting. And, as always, that library was packed with people making good use of all the facilities. And I have a good book to read.

- PM

Aug 21, 2009 3:48 PM EDT

I thought this was a bad foretaste of things to come. It's probably a good thing Jane Austen has no heirs! There were supposedly two sides to the story, and I blogged about them here: Literary Vandalism? Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast” (New Scribner Edition). Thanks for all the great links: I really enjoyed "You Weren't Meant to Have a Boss."

- Janice Campbell, www.NAIWE.com

Jul 17, 2009 11:26 AM EDT

Just because others misuse words doesn't mean I have to. I will keep my mouth shut unless asked (or paid), but either that occurs, I will ensure that perpetrators get their just due (not their "just do") and are sent to bed without dessert (not "desert").

- Pattie Whitehouse