Library@Sinclair Community College - Learning Resources Center 1972-2005
Originally uploaded by Sinclair Library
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Library@Sinclair Community College - Learning Resources Center 1972-2005
Library@Sinclair Community College - Learning Resources Center 1972-2005
Originally uploaded by Sinclair Library
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Not anymore, it isn't.
This is the original public library in Xenia, OH. I've never known it to be a library, as it's not been one since at least the mid eighties. I think I remember seeing "for sale" signs in the yard; my father used to joke about trying to buy it as our family residence. That woulda been really cool, except for the words over the entrance, "Free to the public."
Friday, August 22, 2008
Last Rune series review
One thing I'm going to use this blog for is to put out reviews of the books I read. I like to fantasize about a career where I'm paid to read what I like to read, say as an editor or somesuch. (Gosh, can't imagine that from someone who works in a library, can you?) What follows is to that end.
I recently completed Mark Anthony's series, The Last Rune. This is a six book series that I picked up on a complete whim, and they surprised me in how much I liked them! The premise is a little hokey, involving parallel worlds, time travel, and various forms of magic. The overall plot is good, but a couple of the individual books (particularly the second one) fall short. The writing is well organized, with good flow; the characters are well-developed and likable; the humor is well mixed with the drama, and just enough suspense is added to keep everything interesting. There are elements drawn rather strongly from David Eddings, an author I read growing up held very dear to me. Anthony tends towards a little more serious than Eddings, but I think the books are comparable in quality.
The series starts by introducing Travis, a bartender, and Grace, a doctor. Both of these people are transported to Eldh, a magical medieval world somehow connected to Earth where they learn they each have previously unknown powers of magic, which they use to save Eldh from domination by the evil Pale King. That all happens in the first book, which is a full stand-alone novel. (Kind of confusing for those of us versed in high-fantasy epics. What happens in the rest of the series if you tell the story in the first book?!) The second book also stands fairly well on its own, but introduces some elements that become important later in the series. It's plot follows the standard overused fantansy template: heros given quest, encounter problems, minor characters die, quest fulfilled and everyone goes home happy. Books three through five make a nice little trilogy, and are the best of the series. The plot presented here is finally what the author wanted to tell us, and there's more intrigue, more action, more overall interest in these three books. Sadly, I think you'd be lost if you read these three without the setup done in the first books. Complete resolution is reached in the sixth book, with the entire series put to rest. That's something of a rarety in my experience; a lot of fantasy authors seem to leave their stories open. It's nice to see a series that is complete, which doesn't leave you wanting to know what happens when Good finally does triumph over Evil, which doesn't leave the door open for additional stories or new interpretations.
One of my favorite things about this series is the fact that it touches upon a topic not often found in high fantasy: homosexuality. Without being explicit or inappropriate, Travis builds a relationship with another main character. The books touch on ideas that everyone ought to be allowed to live the lives they want to live, and shouldn't be judged for it. This is presented in a gentle, only slightly awkward and occasionally preachy way. I would reccommend this series to any open-minded fantasy reader looking for something light and enjoyable.
'Til next time,
Brian
I recently completed Mark Anthony's series, The Last Rune. This is a six book series that I picked up on a complete whim, and they surprised me in how much I liked them! The premise is a little hokey, involving parallel worlds, time travel, and various forms of magic. The overall plot is good, but a couple of the individual books (particularly the second one) fall short. The writing is well organized, with good flow; the characters are well-developed and likable; the humor is well mixed with the drama, and just enough suspense is added to keep everything interesting. There are elements drawn rather strongly from David Eddings, an author I read growing up held very dear to me. Anthony tends towards a little more serious than Eddings, but I think the books are comparable in quality.
The series starts by introducing Travis, a bartender, and Grace, a doctor. Both of these people are transported to Eldh, a magical medieval world somehow connected to Earth where they learn they each have previously unknown powers of magic, which they use to save Eldh from domination by the evil Pale King. That all happens in the first book, which is a full stand-alone novel. (Kind of confusing for those of us versed in high-fantasy epics. What happens in the rest of the series if you tell the story in the first book?!) The second book also stands fairly well on its own, but introduces some elements that become important later in the series. It's plot follows the standard overused fantansy template: heros given quest, encounter problems, minor characters die, quest fulfilled and everyone goes home happy. Books three through five make a nice little trilogy, and are the best of the series. The plot presented here is finally what the author wanted to tell us, and there's more intrigue, more action, more overall interest in these three books. Sadly, I think you'd be lost if you read these three without the setup done in the first books. Complete resolution is reached in the sixth book, with the entire series put to rest. That's something of a rarety in my experience; a lot of fantasy authors seem to leave their stories open. It's nice to see a series that is complete, which doesn't leave you wanting to know what happens when Good finally does triumph over Evil, which doesn't leave the door open for additional stories or new interpretations.
One of my favorite things about this series is the fact that it touches upon a topic not often found in high fantasy: homosexuality. Without being explicit or inappropriate, Travis builds a relationship with another main character. The books touch on ideas that everyone ought to be allowed to live the lives they want to live, and shouldn't be judged for it. This is presented in a gentle, only slightly awkward and occasionally preachy way. I would reccommend this series to any open-minded fantasy reader looking for something light and enjoyable.
'Til next time,
Brian
Monday, August 18, 2008
learning long life
Wow, setting that up was harder than I thought! I agonized over finding a name that was clever but not cheezy, something that defined me without being too personal. Then I decided it didn't matter that much, wasn't worth the effort, and just used what I was given. So, on to the learning stuff we're supposed to talk about.
I always expected to be a lifelong learner, but I've found myself more recently falling out of that, resisting change and new things, and realizing that I've begun thinking things like, "I'm too old for that!" (I'm 24; that's unacceptable.) So here's to a change.
Of the 7 1/2 things, I will struggle the most with either the first, Goal Setting, or the seventh, Teaching. I don't tend to work with goals in mind; in the past, I've taken pride in the fact that I just take things as they come, working with the wind and giving myself only minimal guidance. I probably picked this habit up in primary school. I never had to work for decent grades, so I just floated through my classes. That worked through college, though I ended up with a degree other than what I started for. (I think I'm better off for that, thought I might be using the result to justify the means.) I've never had specific career goals, and what life goals I've set have so far worked themselves in line. On a daily basis, I blow off goals I set for myself (exercising, getting the bedroom/kitchen/basement cleaned, getting dinner together, etc). So I guess I've just found the first step I need to take to rebuild myself as a lifelong learner: begin to set and achieve goals in daily life.
As far as teaching, I'll have trouble with this one simply because I don't seek out opportunities to teach. I grew up in a household of educators, and decided early on that was not the route for me. Education is a logical path for me to follow in my primary field of music, but I've never pursued this. I don't mind teaching in a peer setting (as long as reciprocation occurs), but like I said, I hesitate to seek out opportunities.
Enough negative! I think I'll have the most fun with No. 6, Utilizing Technology. That is, as long as technology is made available for me to utilize. I enjoy learning my way around new toys that I can then use to show up my technologically challenged family. (All my friends are more technologically capable than am I, so I have to show off to some one. My poor, put upon siblings.) So, bring it! We'll see how this all works out.
Auf Wiederschreiben,
Brian
I always expected to be a lifelong learner, but I've found myself more recently falling out of that, resisting change and new things, and realizing that I've begun thinking things like, "I'm too old for that!" (I'm 24; that's unacceptable.) So here's to a change.
Of the 7 1/2 things, I will struggle the most with either the first, Goal Setting, or the seventh, Teaching. I don't tend to work with goals in mind; in the past, I've taken pride in the fact that I just take things as they come, working with the wind and giving myself only minimal guidance. I probably picked this habit up in primary school. I never had to work for decent grades, so I just floated through my classes. That worked through college, though I ended up with a degree other than what I started for. (I think I'm better off for that, thought I might be using the result to justify the means.) I've never had specific career goals, and what life goals I've set have so far worked themselves in line. On a daily basis, I blow off goals I set for myself (exercising, getting the bedroom/kitchen/basement cleaned, getting dinner together, etc). So I guess I've just found the first step I need to take to rebuild myself as a lifelong learner: begin to set and achieve goals in daily life.
As far as teaching, I'll have trouble with this one simply because I don't seek out opportunities to teach. I grew up in a household of educators, and decided early on that was not the route for me. Education is a logical path for me to follow in my primary field of music, but I've never pursued this. I don't mind teaching in a peer setting (as long as reciprocation occurs), but like I said, I hesitate to seek out opportunities.
Enough negative! I think I'll have the most fun with No. 6, Utilizing Technology. That is, as long as technology is made available for me to utilize. I enjoy learning my way around new toys that I can then use to show up my technologically challenged family. (All my friends are more technologically capable than am I, so I have to show off to some one. My poor, put upon siblings.) So, bring it! We'll see how this all works out.
Auf Wiederschreiben,
Brian
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