real library conversations #143

A girl came up and asked for Number the Stars by Lois Lowry today, stating that she couldn't find it on the shelf. After taking her to where it was located in the Newberry winners sections we got to chatting about The Giver (another Lois Lowry book that I liked). She took my suggestion and decided to check it out.

Then her Mom came over and we got to talking about the books, Rules, by Cynthia Lord (which I had also just recently read). The Mom wanted the daughter to read the book because, like the main character, this girl also has an autistic younger brother. The girl looked at her Mom (rolling her eyes) and then at me and said,

"I only like to read books that have nothing to do with my life. I don't want to read about stuff I already know about."

I had to laugh. I know where she is coming from. If you were to offer me a mystery that took place in a library, I would probably throw up my arms and say, "I don't give a shit if Marian the Librarian was beat to death with a microfilm roll! Give me a good Steinbeck!!

Then the girl's Mother went to check out their books. My new little friend continued to stand at the desk and tell me all about herself.

"I really want to date, but my Mom won't let me (this after she told me she was not even 11 years old!!) I also want a rat but my Mom won't let me get one of those either. If you got to choose would you rather have a rat or a mouse?"

Holy crap. Who gave this kid coffee for breakfast? Ha ha ha...kinda reminded me of what I was like.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Haha! Cute kid. Lucky kid to be able to talk to you and get book recommendations. I don't recall ever meeting a nice librarian, especially when I was the girl's age. No one to encourage me pick out books, etc...

One of my favorite series is about this librarian who solves mysteries. I'm having a senior moment and can't remember the name of the series or the author. Ugh! Do you know who I'm talking about?

Paz
June 30, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Mummy Dearest said…
Methinks you were one of the kids that tried to check out the Joy of Sex while Mom was looking the other way! Ha ha... Now that I think of it, what would you do if an "underage" kid tried to check out a book like that?

Wait a sec, libraries don't even carry books like that, do they? Or is there a back room, like at the local video store?
July 1, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Monster Librarian said…
Mummy,

We have: "The new joy of sex, by Comfort, Alex." If I am not mistaken this is a revised version of the old stuff...?

You slut. ;)

Paz,

Awww...thanks. Yeah I love talking to the kids. Give them a better sense of "nice" librarians than I had growing up. Our librarian scared the hell out of me. She looked like a mix between Cher and a Vampire....maybe that is the same thing...? :)
July 1, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Monster Librarian said…
Mummy,

We have: "The new joy of sex, by Comfort, Alex." If I am not mistaken this is a revised version of the old stuff...?

You slut. ;)

Paz,

Awww...thanks. Yeah I love talking to the kids. Give them a better sense of "nice" librarians than I had growing up. Our librarian scared the hell out of me. She looked like a mix between Cher and a Vampire....maybe that is the same thing...? :)
July 1, 2008 at 5:19 PM
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