Saturday Review 5-16-09: This week (and last) around the blogiverse

Newbies in my Google Reader
Dispatches from across the blogiverse

A little late for Mother’s Day, but since moms are important enough to talk about every day:
10 ways that real moms are BETTER than TV moms (yes, even June Cleaver…)
Evidence from the bookstore that the mommy wars are still going strong
Finding Mom in unexpected little places
All of us had mothers – but some of us had less-than-perfect mothers and stand-in mothers, so maybe it’s past time to reconsider the definition of “mother”
…and maybe some mothers really aren’t that good at it after all

The influence of “influential bloggers” lists; Mother’s Day under the influence of product placement (well, not really, but it could happen…), and in search of balance

On Mother’s Day – or any other – does getting what you want from your family count if you had to ask for it?

Political scandal hits close to home, literally and figuratively

When a big “event movie” is actually GOOD; something other than a movie for date night

“Young” fashion trends that may make you feel old

Which is worse, toxic sludge or spam (the internet kind, that is – the kind that comes in a can is a whole separate discussion)?

“25 Geeks NOT to Follow on Twitter,” from one of the 100 Geeks TO Follow

Have you wondered about this, too? I have…

Someone’s missing the point, via Not Always Right:

College | Evansville, IN, USA
(This took place in our college library.)
Me: “Could I help you find something?”
Patron: “Yeah, I’m looking for a book.”
Me: “We have lots of books here. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”
Patron: “Yeah – ‘Tuesdays With Morrie’. Do you have it?”
Me: “Well, if you sit at one of the computers, I can show you how to use our system and we can look it up.”
Patron: “Never mind, I’ll just look around.”
(A few minutes pass, then he walks up to me again.)
Patron: “I couldn’t find it. Do you have ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’?
Me: “I can show you how to look at our system and see if we have it.”
Patron: *angry* “I didn’t come to college to learn anything!”
Me: “Sir, I don’t think I can help you.”
Bookmarks: Reading-related reading

Are you (and your blog) a member of the Book Blog Guild? From the About page, here are a few reasons you might want to consider becoming part of this new book-bloggers group:

There’s no doubt about it: book bloggers are a force in the book industry.  And yet, that force is diluted.

The goal of the Book Blog Guild is to bring book bloggers together in one forum to establish a community center, to solve problems, and to solidify our presence and force in the book industry.
In order to accomplish this goal, we’ll all need to work together.  Thus, the BBG is designed to evoke participation.  From the committees and sections to the member forum, this is to be a place of conversation.  I hope you’ll join us.

The Book Blog Guild isn’t the only new place for book bloggers to visit – there’s also the just-opened Book Blog Social Club! It’s sure to be the hottest place to host your virtual parties for book-blogging buddies.

Unrealistic expectations about author productivity? Neil Gaiman sets ’em straight.

Books/reviews that caught my eye this week (and last):
I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti, by Giulia Melucci
Precious, by Sandra Novack
Why Is My Mother Getting a Tattoo? And Other Questions I Wish I Never Had to Ask, by Jancee Dunn (available on June 23)
Let the Shadows Fall Behind You, by Kathy-Diane Leveille
Secret Daughter, by June Cross
The Memory of Water, by Karen White (via DeaReader.com) 

Thanks for taking some time from a lovely spring weekend – when you could be doing SO many other things – to stop by and check out this week’s links!

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7 comments

  1. Kathy (Bermudaonion) – Thanks for giving me another book for my wishlist!

    I’ve had to be more ruthless about using my “mark all as read” button lately, but even so, my Google Reader does stay pretty full.

    Emily – You’re welcome, and best of luck with your new book blog!

    Beth K. – Thanks. I really enjoy doing them :-).

    Karen H. (Scobberlotcher) – I still haven’t read any of John Scalzi’s books, but items like that are just one reason that his blog is not to be missed.

    And you’re welcome for the link :-).

  2. Wendy (Literary Feline) – The Book Blog Guild is still quite new, so you haven’t missed too much there. I hope you’ll decide to join! (I’m member #1010 – the numbering started at 1001, though :-).)