Job Satisfier

One of the inside jokes in librarianship is that as we move up the ladder of success, we tend to say, “I never learned that in library school”! Oh how true.

Today, I get involved in budgeting, marketing, personnel issues, reclaimed water hook up, landscape design, building renovation, governmental relations and on occasion, to keep it interesting, a plumbing inquiry. Everything I (didn’t) learn in library school.

But as Library Director, I do have some say how to spend part of my time (and very little at that). An old boss of mine looked me in the eye one time after I complained about doing things a “librarian” shouldn’t do (I thought I was hot stuff) and said, “What you want is a job satisfier.” It’s the thing we like to do at work as opposed to all the things we have to do. For me, it’s talking about books.

For the past 9+ years, I’ve indulged my “satisfier in the library’s Book Club and providing book talks in the community in such places as Coral Oaks Independent Living Facility and more recently at St. Marks. But today, I’m going to take time out (with what little I got) and share with you some of my favorite books that I’ve recently read.

My Life in France by Julia Child is just wonderful. If you like cooking, experiencing Europe and sharing a laugh or two with a loving couple, this is the book for you. This memoir from one of America’s favorite chefs is truly a loving tribute to some of the good things in life; food, family, fun. Bon appétit!

American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House by Jon Meacham is a nitty-gritty look at one of our most rambunctious and legendary Presidents. He was the first to break from the Virginia bred Presidents, who implemented his vision without taking any prisoners. A man of conflicting views who was hated and adored, despised and cherished, but who had a passion for America and did what he thought was best for his country. This is truly a riveting read.

For the Sake of Elena by Elizabeth George is a much older title but still resonates with the elegance and suspense of a great British mystery. George has been around for some time now but I only started reading her about two years back. Slowly but surely I’m reading her through but man, there is just so much other good stuff to read out there! As they say, too many books, too little time.

Oliver Twist by Dickens has drawn me back to the classics and this particular yarn reminds me why they’re called classics. One thing I never fully appreciated as a kid when I read him was how funny old Chuck could be. Man, this guy could write and what tales he told.

The Dark Tower series by Stephen King is a fantasy epic right up there with the Hobbits and Potters. An exhausting quest for this ominous tower keeps our hero the “Gunfighter” on a trail filled with evil forces, lost love, betrayal, enduring friendships and revenge. Fantasy may not be your thing but if good characterizations and a gripping tale are, this may be just for you.

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri is a beautifully written collection of short stories that examines the Indian immigration to America. Although this Pulitzer Prize winner is a very quick read, the characters and story lines will linger long after the last page is turned.

Happy reading!