Awful Library Books

A-Diskette A-Daskette

October 7, 2019 Holly Ha Ha Ha? 24 comments

Hello, Mr. Chips!
Bishop
1982

Submitter: I think this was probably a fantastic middle school book in 1982. What makes it awful now is that my students have never even heard of the terms that make up the punchlines. Also, the illustrations of computers with massive CPUs and pin-feed printers are unrecognizable to our students. My favorite joke requires knowledge of both old pop culture and obsolete technology: “What’s a computer’s favorite Ella Fitzgerald number? A-Diskette, A-Daskette.” I just read it to a group of 8th grade boys and received only blank stares.

Work Rules for Ladies

October 3, 2019 Mary Kelly Making a Living 8 comments

Rogers’ Rules for Business-Women
How to start a career and move up the ladder
Rogers
1988

You can be a successful business woman with our author’s advice: dress nice, be friendly, and don’t chew gum. The tone is very paternalistic, boarding on annoying. You will be glad to know that Rogers states that “real” sexual harassment in rare. But, (there is always a but), be careful of giving sex signals to your male co-workers. They might get the wrong idea.

Encyclopedia of the Future

October 2, 2019 Holly Bleeding Edge, Society Explained 5 comments

Encyclopedia of the Future
Kurian and Molitor, Eds.
1996

Submitter: I work at an academic library. While moving books that should have been put in Oversize instead of the general collection when they were moved from Reference several years ago, I came across this fascinating two-volume set: the Encyclopedia of the Future[…].

Poison! Beware!

October 1, 2019 Holly Health and Safety 15 comments

Poison! Beware! Be an Expert Poison Spotter
Skidmore
1990

The cover of this book is awesomely awful! It reminds me of Latawnya the partying horse. Here we have:

-A poisonous spider
-Smoking a poisonous cigarette
-On a poisonous mushroom
-After taking poisonous pills (with a poison hazard symbol on the bottle that we are later informed is no longer the correct symbol).

Psychotherapy for the masses

September 30, 2019 Mary Kelly Feelings and Self Help 3 comments

Psycotherapy Maze
Ehrenberg and Ehrenberg
1986

This book is basically a consumer’s guide to finding a therapist. It’s not a bad idea for a book. This book should have been weeded by 1990. Any consumer guides have a limited shelf life, just by definition. Aside from the obvious information about resources and costs, the options in mental health counseling have also changed. Good thing this book is “updated”.

Mary

Staying Safe at Home

September 27, 2019 Holly Health and Safety 13 comments

Staying Safe at Home
Chaiet
1995

Here’s another mid-90s safety book with information that is mostly useful, but images that are both odd and old.

Let’s start with the cover. Why is that door so dirty? They couldn’t find a cleaner house to photograph? Is that a bodysuit she’s wearing under those jeans?

Staying Safe by Saying No

September 26, 2019 Holly For the Kids, Health and Safety 4 comments

Staying Safe By Saying No
MacGregor
1999

The information in this book is sound. Don’t talk to strangers, don’t take candy from strangers, don’t get in cars with strangers…the book itself is fine.

I think the pictures are both hilarious and super old fashioned, though. What is the kid on the cover doing? Is that a finger gun? He’s giving that guy the what for.

how to marry the man of your choice book

Find the man of your dreams

September 25, 2019 Mary Kelly Life, Death, Love, and Marriage 10 comments

How to Marry the Man of Your Choice
Kent
1987

I actually remember this book in its first incarnation as a privately published book that gave a money back guarantee. It made some headlines, especially since the book retailed for nearly 100 dollar. The original book was published in 1985 and this lower priced, mainstream published edition a few years later.