Reading Overload!!

I am on reading overload. The overwhelming feeling that feel right now is so hard to deal with. There are so many great books I want to get my hands on and don't have the time to read!!!Ever since I started working at a library this past Fall, I have been constantly reading. I have included the list of books I've read since November 2006 on the list to the right. Those are the ones I can remember. Right now I am reading 4 books (5 if you count the children's book I am researching) and have 3 on my desk waiting for me devour them. It's not that I have all the time in the world to read. I still have to complete my Graduate Portfolio by April 23 (YIPES!) and have to maintain a level of professionalism at work and continue to educate myself in the library profession (remember kids, just cus you aren't in school doesn't mean you stop learning). So here I am having completed reading another book that I simply loved.

But before I get into that let me tell you about Chica Lit. I love it! WOW! I just happen to stumble upon it because we are having an author come to the library in May who writes Chica Lit. There are so many great titles from Mary Castillo, Margo Candela, Lara Rios, Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez and many more, too many to list here. Once I finish a couple of them I will be reporting back here.

I just finished reading Famous All Over Town by Danny Santiago. Yes, I know that it is not the author's real name and that it was actually written by Daniel James who is anglo, but I don't think it ruins the story one bit. I have read plenty of coming of age stories and this story is a great example of a young Mexican-American boy learning about life. He is confused about his family, his friends and where to go in life. I recommend it to people who are interested in reading about growing up in East Los Angeles in the 1950's. When it came out it was hailed as being one of the greatest Chicano books ever written. But once the true identity of the author was discovered people took their praise back. So I say read it with your eyes closed. :)

I give it three stars in my rating because it was a good read and accurate. (sorry for the lame image, it's the only one I could find.)

Meet the Author

East Los Angeles Library is having Denise Hamilton speak at the library.

The critically acclaimed writer whose best-selling Los Angeles-based Eve Diamond mystery novels have raised the bar for crime fiction.

An informal discussion and book signing will follow the program.

When: Wednesday April 18, 2007

Time: 7:00pm - 9pm

Where: East Los Angeles Library

4837 E. 3rd Street

Los Angeles. CA 90022

(323) 264-0155

Singletini, shaken not stirred.

The most recent book I finished reading is Singletini by Amanda Trimble. I guess I haven't gotten over the fact that Sex in the City is no longer on the air that I have to search for anything that has to do with single women and martinis. The book turned out to be a bit disappointing. But I finished it nonetheless. The main character was not very likable because she was a doormat. Everyone walked all over here, especially her friends.

The story revolves around Victoria Hart, a girl who has idealistic views of how her life should be but yet does nothing to help her meet her goals. She has three college friends who she has made a pact with to continue to be single and sealed the deal by creating a new martini drink called a "singletini", which they always drink together. The four friends go through life changes and it's pretty predictable. I enjoyed the author's way of writing and how her ideas flowed, which is what made me want to continue reading.

I give this book ** two stars. It's a summer read at the beach or while trying to pass the time during a long flight. Oh and at the end she does give you the secret recipe to this new drink. It sounds good.

Yeay for Technology

Free events that are happening at the East Los Angeles Library:

MARCH 22, 2007 @ 7pm Writer's Workshop Bring your poems, short stories, plays, memoirs, screenplays and novels-in-progress for sharing and feedback in a positive environment of community writers.

MARCH 28, 2007 @ 7pm
LAtino Book Club
Features novels which depict the Latino experience as influenced by contemporary Los Angeles. This month's book is Famous All Over Town by Danny Santiago

MARCH 31, 2007 @ 2pm
Mexika Sounds of Old Mexico
Martin Espino and Christopher Garcia perform new and traditional music with an exotic array of music instruments used by Mexico's indigenous people. The audience is encouraged to participate as Martin and Chris demonstrates gourd water drums, bamboo and stone Marimba, eagle whistles, sea shell trumpets and so much more. Join the fun, get in touch with your roots, and enjoy the incredible sounds.

Location:
East Los Angeles Library
4837 E. 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90022
(323) 264-0155

Hope you all can make it.

BEING UNEMPLOYED

Time goes by so fast when you are unemployed. I go to bed at night thinking, "tomorrow will be more productive." Then, I wake up and want to sleep some more. But of course I am staying on track and walking about a mile everyday. I know it isn't much but it's more than I used to do. I come home with all the intentions of emptying out packed boxes, organizing the closet, organizing the kitchen cabinets, balancing my checkbook, studying or filing away old bills. But I always find something else to do. Like blogging. But at least I am doing my daily chores and laundry.

Vito is really growing on me. He is so cute right now and he loves his repti-hammock. I just hope he doesn't turn into one of those ugly iguanas. But so far so good. He is eating so much and his belly is growing quickly.

Oh my gosh. I am on hold for San Jose Cashier's office...and they are taking for ever!! They better not drop my courses. I hate being on hold.

A Librarian? Really?

That is the reaction I get everytime I tell someone that I am in school for my MLIS. I never thought I would end up going to school for that. Hopefully I will end up not being a stereotype. But who am I kidding? I've already invested in the glasses.

Grad school studies are concentrating more on archiving, but I will probably end up at a public library telling kids to be quiet. When what I really want to do is be a recluse and sort through documents. Fun!

Once upon a time I wanted to be a curator. Getting my PhD was the only way to go. But then I realized I'd have to quit work and be a full time researcher/PhD candidate. That would have been horrible, then I would still be living with my parents and really not had a life. Lame! So I guess I am becoming a librarian by accident. Suprisingly enough I am looking forward to knowing everything and showing people where to find it. :)

Starting out.

My husband and I just came back from the pet store. Yes, we are officially pet-parents. I am an avid Kevin and Bean show listener, so I am ashamed of myself. But we are cool pet-parents of an iguana! I got Vito for my husband this Christmas and he loved it. So now we are going overboard and buying him a bigger tank and accessories. I can't wait to get him a spiked leash but he is too small for that now.

We came home to see that the trees outside our condo have been cut down. Halleluya!!! I hated those trees, they obstructed the view of the sky and the sunlight. Now we have a partial ocean view. I am so happy. Now living here won't be so tough for the next couple of years. That was my biggest pet peeve. No sunlight and air flow. But now we have the sun and all we have to do is remove the ugly a/c units from the windows and we can get some air coming through.