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| Vol.
20 No. 4 — Jul/Aug 2006 |
Spectacles
How Pop Culture Sees Librarians
By Ruth Kneale
 Whilst wandering in the local branch of my public library a little while ago, a newly arrived book caught my eye: How I Fell in Love with a Librarian and Lived to Tell About It, by Rhett Ellis. Of course, I had to pick it up!
Sparkling Bay Books published this short, easy read of a (conservative) love story set in a small town in Alabama. The town’s minister is struck dumb with awe (and love at first sight!) when he meets the new town librarian, yet he’s not sure how to get past his shyness and her seeming unapproachability.
“He saw the most beautiful woman in the entire world, nay, the most beautiful creature in all existence standing behind the desk of his local public library, and he nearly fainted. It wasn’t that he thought librarians were supposed to be frumpy. It was the fact that in his town you never saw a new face, much less the face of the most beautiful woman in the whole universe.“
However, he must solve a few mysteries about her before he can begin to woo her. The hero and heroine must face the machinations of a local politician who’s bent on closing the library for good; the minister’s solution to the problem is enjoyable to read about, and reminds me of the kindheartedness of an involved community.
I found this to be a very fast read, somewhat charming in the light romance it presents, but a bit more powerful when presenting the threat to the library and the town’s response. I recommend checking it out of your local library and spending some time in Alabama! |
