Reading about the reading life, September 11, 2015 edition

Welcome to another edition of "Reading about the reading life" here at The Itinerant Librarian. This is where I collect stories about reading and the reading life. Basically, these are items related to reading, maybe writing and literacy, that I find interesting and think my four readers might find interesting as well with a little commentary. As with other features I do on this blog, I do it when I have time or feel like it. Comments are always welcome (within reason). 

 

• As my four readers know, I read a lot of comics and graphic novels. I also review quite a few of them here at The Itinerant Librarian. However, though I am fairly knowledgeable of the format and genres, I would not see myself as comics geek or such. I do not care about continuity minutiae or other little nitpicks the big kids at comic shops and online lose sleep over. I just care about reading some good stories and being entertained. Now, if you have wondered how to get into reading comics, here is a small guide on how to do just that from the folks at IO9. It's not perfect, but it is a start. If you ask me, I have a bias to collections versus single issues. For one, they take less space long term, and two, you can read story arcs in one sitting. A good piece of advice in the article: Do not be afraid to experiment. That has certainly worked for me. Want to share what comics and graphic novels you are reading or may be reading? Trade reading suggestions? Feel free to comment.
• Going around the world, turns out that Buenos Aires, Argentina is "the world's centre of bookstores." The Argentine people overall are known for a very healthy book culture. Story via Al Jazeera. 
• Continuing our journey around the world, a public library in Sri Lanka has been renovated and reopened after suffering damage due to a fire, then civil war. "The library once at the heart of so much turmoil teems today with the young and the old." Story via NPR. 
• In other news, while e-books may be doing well in general, they are not doing as well in independent bookstores. Seems those customers prefer their print. Story via The Denver Post.  
• This story was making the rounds a while back in the librarian blogger and social media circuit. It is a nice feel good story, but it also speaks about literacy needs in the U.S. and around the world. The story is "Librarians on Bikes Are Delivering Books and WiFi to Kids in 'Book Deserts.'" Story via Good.is. 
• And more on mobile libraries and getting books to places that need them, here is a story of mobile libraries in Cambodia and a highlight of the Books for Asia program.  Story via Good.is.
• In another feel good story, a group of young people in Uruguay have created a project to be readers for people who are housebound or have visual impairment issues. Story is in Spanish, and it comes via Que Leer.
• Also via Que Leer, actor Eugenio Derbez is promoting a campaign for more reading in Spanish in the U.S. This story is in Spanish language. In a nutshell, he is promoting reading in Spanish for Hispanics in the U.S. (and anyone else interested I would say).
• In other news, this is one of those stories that get both librarians and people in general talking. Librarians have to face the situation. People talking about it often have no idea, and if they are typical US people, it means they are likely whining about the bums. Read "how libraries became the front line of America's homelessness crisis" via The Washington Post. These is one of those issues that I could write on and on, but for now, I will let folks read and comment if so moved. 
• Now, let's lighten up a bit with a little humor. This is in Spanish, but readers will likely recognize one or more of these 31 habits of great readers. For instance, taking a book everywhere you go.  Story via Que Leer.
• Now, e-readers everywhere have lots of fans. People love them because they can carry a lot of books in them and read anywhere (as long as your device is charged). But did you know that there were various attempts at reading devices for reading multiple books long before the e-reader? Yes, you can go all the way back to the 16th century. Learn about them in this article via Libropatas. Article is in Spanish.
• Finally for this week, here is one for writers. In addition to blogging, I do keep a journal. I would not call it a "daily journal," but I try to write as often as possible. If you need some reasons to get into keeping a journal, here are "10 Benefits of Keeping a Daily Journal" via Kaizen Journaling.