The Liminal Librarian

I always get a kick out of reading about authors’ overreactions to negative reviews, but it’s been a while since I’ve read some great ones. (See all the fun from last April for more along these lines!)

So, I was pleased to see some new rantiness appear. Here is just part of a mind-boggling example:

In last Sunday’s New York Times Book Review, Caleb Crain reviewed Alain de Botton’s The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work. While regular NYTBR watchers like Levi Asher welcomed the spirited dust-up, even Asher remained suspicious about Crain’s doubtful assertions and dense prose.

But on Sunday, de Botton left numerous comments at Crain’s blog, writing, “I will hate you till the day I die and wish you nothing but ill will in every career move you make. I will be watching with interest and schadenfreude.”

You don’t see a lot of schadenfreude in blog comments these days! Maybe it’s all moved to Facebook and twitter, too. Oh wait — something has! Check this out — Alice Hoffman (although she later apologized and deleted) got mad enough to post the private email address and phone number of one of her negative reviewers to her twitter feed. Hmm. Maybe I should finally get myself a twitter account after all, apparently I’m missing all the fun…

Call for computer guide reviewers: The Tech Static

The Tech Static, a new technology book review outlet for librarians launching this November, is seeking regular reviewers for technology-related titles. Please be comfortable with technology and with the prospect of reviewing guides to technology-related topics. Experience with collection development in this area, or with newer technologies, library tech support, or other technological background a plus. These reviews are intended to assist (primarily public and academic) libraries with collection development in this area.

Interested? Email rachel@thetechstatic.com with the following information:

1) Your name, job title, and employer
2) A paragraph or two about your relevant background
3) A short (~100-word) sample review of any technology-related title.
4) In general, what level of books are you willing/able to review? (Beginning/intermediate/expert?)
5) Do you have technology related topics of particular interest? e.g.: specific programming languages or operating systems, specific applications or types of applications, web design, Web 2.0, etc….

Visit The Tech Static at http://www.thetechstatic.com. Please distribute widely.

Thanks!
Rachel

The Tech Static, a new technology book review outlet for librarians launching this November, is seeking regular reviewers for ebooks and prepublication ebooks. Please be comfortable with technology and with the prospect of reviewing guides to programming languages and other technology-related topics, as well as with reviewing materials in electronic format. Experience with collection development in this area a plus.

Interested? Email rachel@thetechstatic.com with the following information:

1) Your name, job title, and employer
2) A paragraph or two about your relevant background
3) A short (~100-word) sample review of any technology-related title.
4) Whether you’re comfortable reviewing unfinished prepublication ebook versions of upcoming titles, or only full ebooks.

Visit The Tech Static at http://www.thetechstatic.com. Please distribute widely.

Thanks!
Rachel

The Tech Static, a new technology book review outlet for librarians launching this November, is seeking regular reviewers for professional technology-related titles aimed at librarians and info pros. Please be comfortable with technology and with the prospect of reviewing guides to technology-related topics. Experience with newer technologies, library tech support, or other technological background a plus.

Interested? Email rachel@thetechstatic.com with the following information:

1) Your name, job title, and employer
2) A paragraph or two about your relevant background
3) A short (~100-word) sample review of any professional technology-related title.

Visit The Tech Static at http://www.thetechstatic.com. Please distribute widely.

Thanks!
Rachel