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I’ve never read a biography about any of the Brontës before so when the publisher offered me the chance to read Charlotte Brontë: A Fiery Heart by Claire Harman I said, sure! This year is the two hundredth anniversary of Charlotte Brontë’s birth and that we are still reading her and talking about her books and her weird family really says something. Harman’s biography is advertised as “landmark” because it “transforms Charlotte Brontë from a tragic figure into a modern heroine.” I’ve never thought of Charlotte as being a tragic figure and I didn’t feel like the biography made her out to be a modern heroine. This is not a criticism of the biography itself, only of the book’s marketing.
Because the biography was pretty good. It didn’t spend much time at all analyzing the novels, which is good because while a little analysis is fine, I don’t read literary biographies hoping for a dose of lit crit. Of course the books are talked about, especially in relation to their autobiographical elements that somehow always seem to have much to do with Charlotte’s obsession with Monsieur Heger, her teacher and eventual employer in Belgium.
Let’s talk about that relationship a bit, shall we? Heger was married to the woman who ran the school. It appears that he really did like Charlotte more than he should. But it also seems like he managed to more or less skate along the border of propriety. He knew she liked him and he would write her notes or give her small gifts or “academic encouragement” to egg Charlotte on. But he never told her he loved her or made any overt overtures or promises. Madame Heger was too vigilant for one, and I get the impression that Charlotte was a teacher-student crush that got way out of hand because Heger did not expect Charlotte to crush on him so hard. Charlotte was borderline stalker and if she had been in modern times I could see her doing a Fatal Attraction kind of thing. Because Brontë.
You write about one Brontë you kind of have to write about them all. I knew they were not your normal sort of family but I didn’t realize just how crazy they all were. Anne I think was the most normal of them all and she was doing ok, had a good gig as a governess in a family she liked that also liked her. She even got her no good brother Branwell a job as a tutor for the boy in the family. Only Branwell had to go and have an affair with the lady of the house and Anne had to quit with the shame and humiliation.
Branwell was so full of himself and his entitlement because of Patrick his father who was also full of himself and his entitlement. Patrick is kind of like a male version of Mrs. Reed in Jane Eyre and Branwell is like John Reed through and through. And because of those two jerks, all the Brontë women were made to suffer.
Also, their closed little world at the Parsonage was not a mentally healthy situation. If Anne was the most normal, Charlotte was the second most normal. Sure she was a stalker, but she was at least functional and even had friends. Emily on the other hand, totally bananas. If you have ever wondered what sort of quiet retiring person could come up with the sick and twisted relationship that is Cathy and Heathcliff, I tell you this little story about Emily.
She was out walking one day and came upon a dog in the road. Emily liked animals and she stopped to talk to the dog. Only the dog bit her. Terrified she might have rabies but not wanting to tell anyone, she went home and cauterized the dog bite with a hot iron. Good thing women dressed so modestly back then otherwise can you imagine the dinnertime conversation when everyone got an eyeful of dog bite and iron burn? Not something one can easily explain away. Then again we are talking about the Brontës here so maybe they would have been like, Emily you are so badass! Or just made a collective whatever kind of shrug.
The biography details the trials and travails of the sisters trying to get published, goes into detail regarding Charlotte’s writing schedule and relationship with her publisher and her public. It seems she pretty much always refused to make any changes to her manuscripts. She was shy and socially awkward but her publisher treated her kindly, inviting her to London to meet the literati. In spite of his pleasantness, he paid Charlotte significantly less for her books than a man would have been paid. So what else is new, right?
Charlotte eventually did get married to Arthur Nicholls, her father’s curate. Her father was very unhappy about this because he was a mean, old selfish man who, instead of being happy for his only surviving child, was angry at her for not devoting her life to his care and feeding. But Charlotte smoothed it over by continuing to live at the Parsonage, much to her new husband’s displeasure. But that just goes to show how much Nicholls loved her, willing to live under the same roof as Patrick Brontë.
Unfortunately once Charlotte was married she pretty much stopped writing. She dedicated herself to the care of her husband and duties as a curate’s wife. And then she got pregnant and the pregnancy killed her. Her death certificate says she died from tuberculosis, but all evidence indicates that she had hyperemesis gravidarum. The cause is unknown but one theory suggests it to be an extreme reaction to pregnancy hormones resulting in a constantly upset stomach, nausea and other issues. These days she would have been able to go to the hospital like Kate Middleton did, but back then there was no help and Charlotte slowly wasted away and died. Given that she had stopped writing, I can’t help but wonder if, even had she lived, there ever would have been another book. It is too bad we never got to find out.
If you, like me, have never read a bio about Charlotte or the Brontës, this one was pretty good. Knowing a bit about their lives casts their books into a different light. But don’t just take my word for it, Jeanne and Jenny have both read and reviewed the book as well.
Charlotte Brontë. Image source: Wikimedia Commons.
I’m teaching Jane Eyre to my lit class girls this month and therefore spent a good bit of last week prepping—a most delightful occupation. Here’s what was on my list of things to do:
The team at BBC Culture asked 82 book critics to name their favorite British fiction books. All of the participants who were polled do not reside in the United Kingdom; they come from the United States, continental Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Here’s more from the BBC: “Each who participated submitted a list of 10 British novels, with their pick for the greatest novel receiving 10 points. The points were added up to produce the final list.”
Altogether, this international group of bibliophiles selected a total of 228 books. Below, we’ve listed the top 10 titles; click on the links to download free eBooks. Did any of your favorites make the cut?
01. Middlemarch by George Eliot (1874)
02. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf (1927)
03. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (1925)
04. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (1861)
05. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847)
06. Bleak House by Charles Dickens (1853)
07. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (1847)
08. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (1850)
09. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)
10. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (1848)
The image showcases several popular romance books including Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. We’ve embedded the full piece below for you to explore further—what do you think? (via Electric Literature)
According to the results of Dymocks Bookstore’s booklover’s 101 survey, that honor belongs to Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief. More than 15,000 bibliophiles participated in this survey.
Here’s more from The New Daily: “This year 17 Australian books made the list, including AB Facey’s A Fortunate Life and Anh Do’s The Happiest Refugee…Ms Higgins said 35 books on the list have been made into successful films – including the recent Hollywood hit Fifty Shades of Grey.” We’ve linked to free samples of the top ten books below.
Free Samples of Australia’s Top 10 Favorite Books
01. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
02. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
03. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
04. Magician by Raymond Feist
05. The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
06. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
07. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
08. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
09. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
I have always been a reader, but eight years ago, strange circumstances conspired to make me totally book-dependent. I was stuck within four walls, desperate for distraction and a conduit to the world; but I had to live in total darkness, unable to see words on a page. So, from the small player in the [...]
0 Comments on My Top 10 Talking Books as of 3/2/2015 3:40:00 PM
Emily and Charlotte Brontë are about as opposite as two sisters can be. Charlotte is practical and cautious; Emily is headstrong and imaginative. But they do have one thing in common: a love of writing. This shared passion will lead them to be two of the first published female novelists and authors of several enduring works of classic literature. But they’re not there yet. First, they have to figure out if there is a connection between a string of local burglaries, rumors that a neighbor’s death may not have been accidental, and the appearance on the moors of a mysterious and handsome stranger. The girls have a lot of knots to untangle—before someone else gets killed.
What’s Up with That Title? by Michaela MacColl
This week my new book Always Emily comes out. It’s the next novel in my series of literary mysteries – this one is about the Bronte sisters. Charlotte Bronte (who would write Jane Eyre) is 18 and her sister Emily (of Wuthering Heights fame) is 17. The sisters get involved in a mystery on their very own moors – a mystery that threatens their peace of mind, their brother and father and even their lives.
If my story is about two sisters, what’s up with that title? Always Emily? I’ve had lots of people ask me (especially my husband who gets this book mixed up with my last one about Emily Dickinson). The truth is this book was originally written in alternating chapters, first Charlotte then Emily. These sisters, despite having an identical upbringing, were completely different from one another.
Charlotte was the eldest sister and she assumed responsibility for the family. She’s the one with the plan – to keep the family solvent, to find employment and to get the sisters published. Emily, on the other hand, had zero ambitions other than to wander the moors and write her wild, uninhibited poetry and stories. Naturally Charlotte wrote about the repressed and moral Jane Eyre, while Emily penned a gothic melodrama of illicit love and revenge.
Ultimately I found the alternating narration way too confining. It didn’t seem fair to the reader to leave Charlotte locked in a trunk about to suffocate and then shift to Emily doing the most mundane of chores. So I switched to a third person, but let each sister own their own chapters. It worked so much better but I had to answer that pressing question, who is the main character?
I’m the eldest in my family and I’m the one who likes to plan – so my preference was Charlotte of course. But Emily was so much more fun! And if there’s to be a romance (and in these literary mysteries there is always a hint of some love in the air) Emily seems the more likely candidate. So Emily won out by a hair – Charlotte has adventures, but Emily is the main player.
Charlotte quite reasonably resents her sister’s lack of responsibilities. And how aggravating that Emily is the sister that attracts the masculine attention that Charlotte craved. More than once Charlotte mutters, “Emily, it’s always Emily.”
My editor and I liked this as a title because it sounds so romantic – but really it’s the lament of the plainer, older, duller sister. It’s always Emily!
Thanks for reading. I’d love to have you visit at www.michaelamaccoll.com , or follow me on Twitter at @MichaelaMacColl or check out Author Michaela MacColl on Facebook.
On 31 March 1855 – Easter Sunday – Charlotte Brontë died at Haworth Parsonage. She was 38 years old, and the last surviving Brontë child. In this deeply moving letter to her literary advisor W. S. Williams, written on 4 June 1849, she reflects on the deaths of her sisters Anne and Emily.
My dear Sir
I hardly know what I said when I wrote last—I was then feverish and exhausted—I am now better—and—I believe—quite calm.
Anne Brontë by Charlotte Brontë, 1845
You have been informed of my dear Sister Anne’s death—let me now add that she died without severe struggle—resigned—trusting in God—thankful for release from a suffering life—deeply assured that a better existence lay before her—she believed—she hoped, and declared her belief and hope with her last breath.—Her quiet Christian death did not rend my heart as Emily’s stern, simple, undemonstrative end did—I let Anne go to God and felt He had a right to her.
I could hardly let Emily go—I wanted to hold her back then—and I want her back hourly now—Anne, from her childhood seemed preparing for an early death—Emily’s spirit seemed strong enough to bear her to fullness of years—They are both gone—and so is poor Branwell—and Papa has now me only—the weakest—puniest—least promising of his six children—Consumption has taken the whole five.
For the present Anne’s ashes rest apart from the others—I have buried her here at Scarbro’ to save papa the anguish of return and a third funeral.
I am ordered to remain at the sea-side a while—I cannot rest here but neither can I go home—Possibly I may not write again soon—attribute my silence neither to illness nor negligence. No letters will find me at Scarbro’ after the 7th. I do not know what my next address will be—I shall wander a week or two on the east coast and only stop at quiet lonely places—No one need be anxious about me as far as I know—Friends and acquaintance seem to think this the worst time of suffering—they are sorely mistaken—Anne reposes now—what have the long desolate hours of her patient pain and fast decay been?
Why life is so blank, brief and bitter I do not know—Why younger and far better than I are snatched from it with projects unfulfilled I cannot comprehend—but I believe God is wise—perfect—merciful.
I have heard from Papa—he and the servants knew when they parted from Anne they would see her no more—all try to be resigned—I knew it likewise and I wanted her to die where she would be happiest—She loved Scarbro’—a peaceful sun gilded her evening.
Yours sincerely
C. Brontë
The Oxford World’s Classics edition of Charlotte Brontë’s Selected Letters is edited by Margaret Smith, with an introduction by Janet Gezari.
For over 100 years Oxford World’s Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford’s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. You can follow Oxford World’s Classics on Twitter, Facebook, or here on the OUPblog. Subscribe to only Oxford World’s Classics articles on the OUPblog via email or RSS.
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Image credit: Anne Brontë – drawing in pencil by Charlotte Brontë, 1845. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rukhsana Khan’s award-winning novel Wanting Mor (Groundwood Books, 2009) was one of the books on Corinne’s YA Top 10 posted last week (and it would be on mine too!). One of the themes that runs through the book is the main character Jameela’s faith, and Rukhsana evokes great depth of feeling and understanding about Jameela’s culture growing up in post-Taliban Afghanistan. Her other YA novel Dahling, If You Luv Me, Would You Please, Please Smile (Stoddart Kids, 1999) focuses on a Muslim Canadian teen Zainab’s journey towards self-acceptance in the face of peer pressure. Rukhsana has also written several acclaimed picture books, including Big Red Lollipop (illustrated by Sophie Blackall; Viking Children’s Books, 2010) and The Roses in My Carpets (illustrated by Ronald Himler).
You can find out more about Rukhsana’s books on her website and keep up-to-date with her news on her Khanversations blog; and do also read our interview with her.
Top 10 YA/Crossover Books with a Religious Theme, by Rukhsana Khan
1. The Autobiography of Malcolm X — This book absolutely moved me as a teen! It’s about a man who succumbs to a sort of personality cult (Nation of Islam)—but emerges as a truly noble man! I wanted to be like Malcolm X!
2. Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson — A real classic! Absolutely adored this book! It’s full of quotations from the Bible and there’s a really mean and sanctimonious grandmother!
3. A Single Light by Maia Wojcieschowska — Read this as a girl and found it haunting!
4. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen — Fanny Price is no Elizabeth Bennet! I loved that Edward chooses Fanny for her faith and good moral character.
5. Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare — A story about tolerance but also about differences in faith. I’d never heard of the Quaker religion before this!
6. Does My Head Look Big in This? Randa Abdel Fattah — The first book I ever read that made you root for the girl to keep wearing her hijab.
7. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte — Read this book as a kid and it actually confirmed my belief in Islam—Mr. Rochester and Jane would have had no problem marrying if they were Muslim!
8. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain — Loved how Mark Twain explored the ways in which the status quo—slave ownership—was justified by the establishment. And I wrestled alongside Huck as he struggled to do the *right* thing!
9. The Butterfly Mosque by G. Willow Wilson — A lyrical beautiful book about a woman who falls in love with Egypt and the Muslim faith.
10. The Razor’s Edge by Somerset Maugham — I only recently read this book and realized how way ahead of its time it was! It’s about a guy who goes and finds himself, and particularly about him exploring his faith.
I know a lot of the books aren’t exactly kids’ books. I couldn’t help it. I do really like all these books! Although Randa Abdel Fattah’s book annoys me a little because it’s about a girl you’re rooting for, who has the courage to wear hijab, and yet she, as an author, no longer wears hijab; and there’s a spot in that book when they go to the cinema during Ramadan while they’re fasting and there’s no mention of prayer!!! *grrr*
0 Comments on PaperTigers 10th Anniversary: Top 10 YA/Crossover Books with a Religious Theme, by Rukhsana Khan as of 11/2/2012 11:44:00 AM
What’s your favorite kind of book? We’ve created a giant flowchart to help you browse the top 50 free eBooks at Project Gutenberg.
Click the image above to see a larger version of the book map. Your choices range from Charles Dickens to Jane Austen, from Sherlock Holmes to needlework. Below, we’ve linked to all 50 free eBooks so you can start downloading right now. The books are available in all major eBook formats.
Over at UneekDollDesigns, artist Debbie Ritter sells handmade dolls of famous authors and celebrated literary characters.
The collection includes the trio of ghosts who haunt Ebenezer Scrooge. Ritter has also created dolls of Jane Eyre from Charlotte Bronte‘s famous novel and Mrs. Haversham from Dickens’ Great Expectations.
Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit come as a matching set. Flavorpillmade a list of other dolls, including Shel Silverstein, J.R.R. Tolkien and Joyce Carol Oates. Above, we’ve embedded a Mark Twain doll. What’s your favorite?
As the Occupy Wall Street protest continues, the activists camped out in New York City have built an impressive library. Thanks to Library Thing, you can now explore the library online and watch it grow.
Currently, the makeshift library counts 390 books. Follow this link to find out how you can donate. We’ve listed ten books from the library below, illustrating the scope of the collection. The Occupy Wall Street librarians also hope to schedule more author visits.
Here’s more from the library blog: Rather than having scheduled mega-events with activist authors coming to pep talk the whole occupation, I would prefer smaller, impromptu groups and a books-oriented approach to fit with our little niche mission. My idea is to ask authors to come talk about the “books that have inspired you” and then whatever else they want. We can post announcements in advance on a dry erase board and/or make an announcement when someone arrives. Then, whoever happens to be around can come check it out. If it’s only a few people, I see no problem with that. Whatever stimulates conversations, and huge groups don’t allow it so much. I feel this is a good role for our library.
As avid Charlotte Bronte fans probably know, a film adaptation of her classic novel Jane Eyre hits theaters today, March 11!
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, Holliday Grainger, Sally Hawkins, Tamzin Merchant, Imogen Poots, Judi Dench
Director: Cary Fukunaga (“Sin Nombre”)
Screenplay by: Moira Buffini (“Tamara Drewe”); Based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë
MPAA Rating:
20 Comments on Jane Eyre: A Giveaway, last added: 3/14/2011
I am excited to see this because it looks very good... seems like the best Jane Eyre adaptation yet. Probably because it's been so dramatized, but still.<br /><br />Lucia<br />[email protected]
I am so excited to see the movie because Jane Eyre is my favorite classic novel. I'm really interested in seeing how they've adapted it!<br /><br />-Jenna<br />jenvald09(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love that the original novel isn't like a lot of other novels of it's era. The dark gothic aspects of the story are great with the twists and the surprises. Plus, the fact that Jane is so independent and straightforward. Shes a great character. I'm excited the movie seems to be staying true to the original story, its so rare to see a great movie adaptation.. I'm hoping this is
what i'm most excited about with this movie, as i am with all classic novel-to-film creations, is how the actors embody the characters through their actions, speech, and facial expressions. seeing it come alive is too cool!<br /><br />thanks for the contest!<br /><br />lisathebooknerd at gmail dot com
I'm so excited to see this. I love the book and enjoy seeing each adaptation. Some are definitely better than others! <br /><br />I just love the way Rochester and Jane interact and how they fall in love. It's just amazing how Bronte was able to write that. <br /><br />The trailer looks so gothic! Looks so exciting. Plus, Rochester is hot!<br /><br />hmsgofita at hotmail dot com
I'm super excited to see the movie because I'm currently reading the book... FOR THE FIRST TIME! *insert gasps of shock as I dodge the rotten fruit hurled my way* I feel like the only person on the planet (or at least in the book blogging world) who has never read Jane Eyre but thanks to my trusty Kindle and a passion for classic literature I'm diving into Brote's text and
I'm excited to see this movie because of Mia Wasikowska. The only movie I remember seeing her in was Alice in Wonderland, and I thought she was a really great actress. Plus, the trailer for this movie makes in look eerie and fantastic. I can't wait! <br /><br />-Sasha<br />fiveforfighting(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm really looking forward to seeing this. I love movies based on classic novels. Thanks for the giveaway!<br /><br />erinberry12 at charter dot net
Wow Casey, what a fantastic giveaway! Until recently, I was completely uninterested in Jane Eyre. (Personal reasons... too much to go into.) Then Erin Blakemore hosted Herione Love in February, and the first post was on Jane Eyre. It is now firmly on my TBR, though I don't plan to read it on my break. ;)<br /><br />As a new lover of the book, I'd be thrilled to win this prize package.
I haven't read the book but I've seen the BBC version and I fell in love with it! Not only is it a classic but I loved the story line! Mia is a great actress and I'm excited to see this new version!<br /><br />twilightforever.edward at gmail dot com
I am most excited for the film probably because of seeing what they will do in the film that has also happened in the book and to find things that they didn't do in the film that happened in the book. Also the outfits will be cool to see.<br /><br />morgynmjoubert(at)hotmail(dot)com<br /><br />Thank you so much for this giveaway!
I would be thrilled to win this, honestly. I have a definitive amount of love and appreciation for the classics and am always open for a new interpretation of them. <br /><br />That said, to answer the question you posed, I'm really interested to see this film's take on the classic. To see if they can re-vamp it a bit, while still preserving the integrity of the story. I've seen the
I actually haven't read Jane Eyre yet, nor seen the movie. *head hung in shame* So I really need this! Please count me in. Thanks!<br /><br />nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
This is so embarrassing, but I haven't read Jane Eyre yet. My roommate in college was in the orchestra for a play version, and I remember I enjoyed it. I stumbled upon the BBC version of the movie (with Toby Stevens) at the library last summer, and I fell in love. Not just with Toby, with the story. Now my goal is to read Jane Eyre. Shouldn't be hard. I'm really excited to see the
In 2009, Wasikowska starred in Alice in Wonderland. Fassbender will play the comic book villain, Magneto, in X-Men: First Class next year. Rumor has it Fassbender will also play a part in the upcoming Hobbit movies.
Our friends at the Bronte Blog have weighed in on Laura Joh Rowland's imaginative new novel Bedlam: The Further Adventures of Charlotte Bronte: "We were pleased to hear there would be a second installment of Charlotte Brontë's secret adventures, as we had really liked the first. Laura Joh Rowland had provided such a sturdy springboard into that fantasy world where Charlotte Brontë turns into a Victorian superheroine that we were oh so willing to take that leap again.
And a few lines into Bedlam: The Further Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë confirmed that the spring board was still good enough. Laura Joh Rowland's apt re-creation of Charlotte Brontë's style is still as accomplished and mesmerising as the first time around, even with the all-American turns of phrase that graze the text from time to time. She moves with ease in Victorian times: conventions, events, behaviour and all sorts of other important background information are seemingly effortlessly whipped up.
Purists may or may not agree with this action-figure Charlotte but what's undeniably true is that when circumstances allow it, Charlotte is as much her real self as possible and even her imaginary projection is intriguing in being quite coherent with her real self and what we know of her. And then there's the helpful disclaimer at the end where real events and real people are differentiated from imaginary events.
And even then there's evidence of Laura Joh Rowland having fun and joking with her readers. The "WANTED" poster with Charlotte's portrait by Richmond made us chuckle and appreciate the effort made by Rowland in order to be - usually at the same time - entertaining and accurate. The impossible situations, the action movie scenes, particularly the last scene at the Great Exhibition, follow the same philosophy, we think. They are not to be taken extremely seriously, looked at with the magnifying glass of reality, but just taken in the reader's stride. We all know Charlotte Brontë wasn't a superheroine, that her health wouldn't have stood 10% of what happens in the book, but for less that 400 pages, may we just forget about it and believe that Charlotte Brontë really did have these secret adventures?"
0 Comments on Laura Joh Rowland's BEDLAM: "Accomplished and Mesmerizing" as of 1/1/1900
Laura Joh Rowland, author of The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Bronte, will appear at the third annual Thrillerfest conference in New York on Saturday, July 12. Laura will participate in a panel, "Real or Imagined: Historical Thrillers," and discuss her latest novel, set in Victorian England, and featuring the famous and fascinating Bronte family. Thrillerfest is sponsored by the International Thriller Writers association.
0 Comments on Meet LAURA JOH ROWLAND at Thrillerfest in New York on July 12 as of 7/10/2008 8:42:00 AM
Mantoloking (NJ) has a "recycling library." Bring in an old book, take someone else's old book.
Some interesting quotage from the article:
"We put in two bookcases in June, and they were filled in a matter of days," she said. "I know people are using the library, because when I come to borrow a book that I saw on the shelves, it is often not there. And there are always new books."
"But most popular of all seems to be Readers Digest condensed books."
"There are no library cards and there are no rules."
What I find interesting about this article:
What do people want? Books. What don't they want? Rules.
How does the wealth of the town factor in? If an individual REALLY wants a certain title, they will buy it and won't expect it to be at the recycling library. Plus, they know that other library services (wireless Internet, reference resources, programs, etc.) are just a short ride down Route 35.
But bottom line, what do they want? Books. And they want them with little fuss: no cards, no rules, no returns. And, of course, no real funding and, apparently, no real expectations about what will be there. As mentioned in the article, it's about recreational reading: "People have more time to read in the summer, especially if they are going to the beach. This is an easy way to get a book or two to read."
I think what a recycling library also does is provide people with a way to get rid of unwanted books and feel good about it. It's an interesting local option about what to do with books that libraries don't want as donations and that people don't want to hang onto. While library practice can vary from location to location, library to library, often people expect that donated books (whatever the book) will wind up on a library shelf; I've spoken to people who are upset that the library won't put those books on the shelf. This is an answer to those people who feel that their old books can be used by someone else.
It's also interesting that people are willing to give up a wide range of selection in favor of convenience. But, of course, this is a community that has other options (the Ocean County Library, bookstores) if what they really want isn't on the recycling library bookshelf.
Every RV Park and active adult community has one of these. They bring books they take books. It is a great way for these unwanted books to recirculate.
Simple is always best, but it's never that simple to do :)
adrienne said, on 8/5/2007 9:29:00 AM
We have a magazine exchange at our library that works on this principle. People really love it. One of the libraries in our system has also started doing this with used video games, which I think is very interesting, something we should maybe consider for our library, too....
Mantoloking (NJ) has a "recycling library." Bring in an old book, take someone else's old book.
Some interesting quotage from the article:
"We put in two bookcases in June, and they were filled in a matter of days," she said. "I know people are using the library, because when I come to borrow a book that I saw on the shelves, it is often not there. And there are always new books."
"But most popular of all seems to be Readers Digest condensed books."
"There are no library cards and there are no rules."
What I find interesting about this article:
What do people want? Books. What don't they want? Rules.
How does the wealth of the town factor in? If an individual REALLY wants a certain title, they will buy it and won't expect it to be at the recycling library. Plus, they know that other library services (wireless Internet, reference resources, programs, etc.) are just a short ride down Route 35.
But bottom line, what do they want? Books. And they want them with little fuss: no cards, no rules, no returns. And, of course, no real funding and, apparently, no real expectations about what will be there. As mentioned in the article, it's about recreational reading: "People have more time to read in the summer, especially if they are going to the beach. This is an easy way to get a book or two to read."
I think what a recycling library also does is provide people with a way to get rid of unwanted books and feel good about it. It's an interesting local option about what to do with books that libraries don't want as donations and that people don't want to hang onto. While library practice can vary from location to location, library to library, often people expect that donated books (whatever the book) will wind up on a library shelf; I've spoken to people who are upset that the library won't put those books on the shelf. This is an answer to those people who feel that their old books can be used by someone else.
It's also interesting that people are willing to give up a wide range of selection in favor of convenience. But, of course, this is a community that has other options (the Ocean County Library, bookstores) if what they really want isn't on the recycling library bookshelf.
Cross posted at Pop Goes the Library (actually, this was originally meant for Pop but I wasn't paying attention. And rather than remove it from here, I'll just cross post.)
1 Comments on A Few Of The Books, None Of The Rules, last added: 8/6/2007
There's a little branch of the Burlington County, NJ library in a little Victorian town (Riverton) that is known for being wealthy. This is the only library I have ever known that has a "give and take" section. It's a regular library with a regular borrowing section, PLUS a "porch sale" ongoing with bookshelves full of books for a quarter or two apiece. But there are 3 or 4 spinning bookracks in the main room of the library. These are filled with paperbacks. Anyone may take books from this rack; they only ask that you tell the librarian how many you took. They refill the rack from donations left on the porch. I have taken books from the rack and returned them to the porch when I was done. It seems to be working well for them to have all 3 things going on at once.
I’ve never read a biography about any of the Brontës before so when the publisher offered me the chance to read Charlotte Brontë: A Fiery Heart by Claire Harman I said, sure! This year is the two hundredth anniversary of Charlotte Brontë’s birth and that we are still reading her and talking about her books and her weird family really says something. Harman’s biography is advertised as “landmark” because it “transforms Charlotte Brontë from a tragic figure into a modern heroine.” I’ve never thought of Charlotte as being a tragic figure and I didn’t feel like the biography made her out to be a modern heroine. This is not a criticism of the biography itself, only of the book’s marketing.
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As the Occupy Wall Street protest continues, the activists camped out in New York City have built an impressive library. Thanks to Library Thing, you can now 
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I am excited to see this because the book is such a classic!<br /><br />Stephanie- thegirlonfire27<br />thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com
I am excited to see this because it looks very good... seems like the best Jane Eyre adaptation yet. Probably because it's been so dramatized, but still.<br /><br />Lucia<br />[email protected]
I am so excited to see the movie because Jane Eyre is my favorite classic novel. I'm really interested in seeing how they've adapted it!<br /><br />-Jenna<br />jenvald09(at)yahoo(dot)com
This is a classic novel, it is beautiful, Can't wait to see it!!<br /><br />korra_950(at)hotmail(dot)com
I like the original because it is the original gothic novel, and that is my favorite genre.<br />rickimc[at]aol[dot]com
I'm excited to see the film because I have to see how the new one compares to the original.<br /><br />findjessyhere at gmail dot com
I love that the original novel isn't like a lot of other novels of it's era. The dark gothic aspects of the story are great with the twists and the surprises. Plus, the fact that Jane is so independent and straightforward. Shes a great character. I'm excited the movie seems to be staying true to the original story, its so rare to see a great movie adaptation.. I'm hoping this is
what i'm most excited about with this movie, as i am with all classic novel-to-film creations, is how the actors embody the characters through their actions, speech, and facial expressions. seeing it come alive is too cool!<br /><br />thanks for the contest!<br /><br />lisathebooknerd at gmail dot com
I'm so excited to see this. I love the book and enjoy seeing each adaptation. Some are definitely better than others! <br /><br />I just love the way Rochester and Jane interact and how they fall in love. It's just amazing how Bronte was able to write that. <br /><br />The trailer looks so gothic! Looks so exciting. Plus, Rochester is hot!<br /><br />hmsgofita at hotmail dot com
Excited to see this movie because it looks like they tried to stay faithful to the classic.
I'm super excited to see the movie because I'm currently reading the book... FOR THE FIRST TIME! *insert gasps of shock as I dodge the rotten fruit hurled my way* I feel like the only person on the planet (or at least in the book blogging world) who has never read Jane Eyre but thanks to my trusty Kindle and a passion for classic literature I'm diving into Brote's text and
I'm excited to see this movie because of Mia Wasikowska. The only movie I remember seeing her in was Alice in Wonderland, and I thought she was a really great actress. Plus, the trailer for this movie makes in look eerie and fantastic. I can't wait! <br /><br />-Sasha<br />fiveforfighting(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm really looking forward to seeing this. I love movies based on classic novels. Thanks for the giveaway!<br /><br />erinberry12 at charter dot net
Wow Casey, what a fantastic giveaway! Until recently, I was completely uninterested in Jane Eyre. (Personal reasons... too much to go into.) Then Erin Blakemore hosted Herione Love in February, and the first post was on Jane Eyre. It is now firmly on my TBR, though I don't plan to read it on my break. ;)<br /><br />As a new lover of the book, I'd be thrilled to win this prize package.
I haven't read the book but I've seen the BBC version and I fell in love with it! Not only is it a classic but I loved the story line! Mia is a great actress and I'm excited to see this new version!<br /><br />twilightforever.edward at gmail dot com
I can't wait to see this classic on the big screen!! thanks so much for the contest!!<br /><br />inthehammockblog at gmail dot com
I am most excited for the film probably because of seeing what they will do in the film that has also happened in the book and to find things that they didn't do in the film that happened in the book. Also the outfits will be cool to see.<br /><br />morgynmjoubert(at)hotmail(dot)com<br /><br />Thank you so much for this giveaway!
I would be thrilled to win this, honestly. I have a definitive amount of love and appreciation for the classics and am always open for a new interpretation of them. <br /><br />That said, to answer the question you posed, I'm really interested to see this film's take on the classic. To see if they can re-vamp it a bit, while still preserving the integrity of the story. I've seen the
I actually haven't read Jane Eyre yet, nor seen the movie. *head hung in shame* So I really need this! Please count me in. Thanks!<br /><br />nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
This is so embarrassing, but I haven't read Jane Eyre yet. My roommate in college was in the orchestra for a play version, and I remember I enjoyed it. I stumbled upon the BBC version of the movie (with Toby Stevens) at the library last summer, and I fell in love. Not just with Toby, with the story. Now my goal is to read Jane Eyre. Shouldn't be hard. I'm really excited to see the