Awful Library Books

A Housework Revolution

November 17, 2020 Mary Kelly Home and Garden 9 comments

Is there life after housework?
A revolutionary approach that will free you from the drudgery of housework
Aslett
1981

I don’t think one can “improve” housework to the extent it can make the drudgery disappear. Taking a task and making it more efficient is a good idea and I am onboard with the concept. As a house cleaning slacker, I am usually disorganized and easily distracted. I just don’t think I can go through the house and get everything done. I think this book assumes you can get organized and not be distracted by other stuff or people.

Keep Your Eye on the Ball

November 16, 2020 Holly Sports, Games, and Exercise 9 comments

Sportsvision: Dr. Revien’s Eye Exercise Program for Athletes
Revien and Gabor
1981

Submitter: This was found on the shelves in our public library system (mid-size, 10 branches.) It was no longer in the catalog, so came to me in the Technical Services department. I have no idea if the science behind this has been superseded or debunked, but at the very least, this is painfully out of date. The sports icons shown as examples in the pages include Terry Bradshaw, Bjorn Borg, Pete Rose and Nancy Lopez. And the illustrations and photographs are unselfconsciously 1970s hilarious.

DIY Crowns and Tiaras

November 13, 2020 Holly Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 13 comments

Crowns & Tiaras
Judd and Montecinos
2007

Submitter: Why would anyone want a crown made of chicken wire? Maybe I’m the odd one, but I really don’t want almost-garbage on my head. We’re a small public library and this hadn’t been circ’d in over 3 years. Plus, it’s just plain weird!

Women and Beauty from Sophia Loren

November 9, 2020 Mary Kelly Be Pretty, Celebrity Gossip and Advice 5 comments

Women and Beauty
Loren
1984

I am a big fan of Sophia Loren, and my parents introduced me to the movie Houseboat (1958) with Cary Grant. She always seemed ageless to me and I would imagine this book to be a good choice in the early 1980s. I think the publishers were after a book that would show that even though you might be over 40 (gasp!), you can still look good.

Break out the can opener

November 4, 2020 Mary Kelly You Ate What? 13 comments

After Work Cook Book
Better Homes and Gardens
1975

All your 1970s favorites are here for your after work cooking needs. Your Sweet and Sour Chicken Mold will obviously be a family favorite. The yellow/greenish color should brighten up any table. As I look at the recipe I am curious about the sour cream sauce mix. I don’t remember any kind of item like that. Any of my fellow old folks have any idea what this is? The only thing I can think of is a sour cream/onion dip mix. Since it is the first ingredient listed, I would hate to mess up this recipe.

color me beautiful looking your best cover

What is your color palette?

November 2, 2020 Mary Kelly Be Pretty 8 comments

Color Me Beautiful’s Looking Your Best
Spillane and Sherlock
1995

Another color book to make you pretty. We have featured these types of books before: color for your life, color for men, colors for your home, etc. I remember when this was a big deal. This topic was on all the talk shows and I think there were even some Avon like parties where one could get their colors done. I don’t know if it is still as big a deal as was back in the late 1980s/1990s.

Pickle Acceptance

October 30, 2020 Mary Kelly For the Kids, Friday Fiction 17 comments

Be Cool, Going to School
Hickle Pickle Books #3
Smith
1994

Okay, this is a weird one. Evidently an alien pickle shows up and heads to school. I am not sure of the origin story, perhaps that is in the earlier part of this 6 part series. His name is Hickle. Hilarious, right? For reasons that are not quite clear, he is interested in where dill pickles came from. (Genealogy project?)