Reading about the reading life: February 9, 2018 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). 

It has been a while since I have done one of these posts, so let's see what I had found interesting recently in reading and literacy.

• Bookstores often serve as refuge against the "Hard Times." The article also notes that books on the opposition to the party in power often are popular. Story via The Christian Science Monitor. You know what other place can be a refuge?  Your local public library.
• Dr. Myers at Pharyngula argues that when it comes to that furiously fiery book about the Pendejo In Chief that you are reading the wrong book. He offers a better alternative suggestion.
• He also has some thoughts on recent cookbooks. 
• In a bit of humor, turns out there is another book entitled Fire and Fury (it's about a part of World War II). Due to the book about the Pendejo In Chief, the history book also got a sales bump. Story via Inside Higher Ed. 
• Big book chains continue in decline, illustrated this time by Book World closures. Story via The New York Times. It is hard to compete against the big online behemoth. I'll be honest, the only big bookstore nearby is Barnes and Noble, and the one we go to in Lexington once in a while looks more like a gift shop and toy store (expensive toy store) than actual bookstore. On a positive, Half Price Books is a pleasure to shop in; they treat you well, and you always find something. I have found some nice second hands Tarot and oracle decks at Half Price Books. Recently, they opened a second location in Lexington, so they must be doing well enough. As long as they are there, I will be happy to keep shopping there.
• Dan Brown, author of  The Da Vinci Code, gave a bundle of money so about 3,500 occult manuscripts and rare books can be digitized into a collection we will all be able to use some day. Story via Open Culture. I am not a fan of Brown's work, but thank you sir for this. 
• A big collection of Sherlockiana was recently put up for auction. Via Fine Books and Collections magazine blog.
• In Texas, they have been banning books in prisons left and right. Heck, they even banned Charlie Brown and Peanuts. However, there is this: "Not banned: “Mein Kampf” by Adolf Hitler and books by white nationalists, including David Duke, the former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard." Yea, so basic literacy and some good leisure reading is out, but white supremacist literature is fine. That's Texan fuckery for you. Story via The New York Times. 
• Also via The New York Times, a report that parts of Gabriel García Márquez’s archive at University of Texas have been digitized and are free to view. 
• I understand there is a  new biopic film about P.T. Barnum. This article considers how that great showman may have paved the way for the  Pendejo In Chief, plus it highlights a book on the art of deception I may add to my reading list. Story via The Conversation. 
• Also via The Conversation, some advice on what books to read to your children and at what time. 
• One more via The Conversation, on the story of America via diet books. 
• Via Lecturalia (Spanish language source), Amazon's star rating system for books remains problematic. This is not surprising. From buying reviewers and book raters to sink a competitor's book to harassment issues, Amazon is not really a place to get a reliable review. Personally, as librarian I do not trust nor bother with  an Amazon review. As reviewer, the only time I place a review in Amazon is at the request of an author or editor I may have reviewed here on the blog, and that is done at no pay for me. Otherwise, I stay away. 
• Infotecarios (Spanish language source) has a short report on libraries in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. 
• And here I thought the fact our own academic collection needs some serious weeding was bad. Turns out at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Library, 48% of their books have not been checked out in 20 years. They are finally planning to weed. Read about it via InfoDocket.
• NPR looks at book printing as an art and craft, highlighting a Kentucky printer as well. 
• I knew it. Book clubs have always been about drinking and schmoozing. Via Atlas Obscura.