Awful Library Books

Divorce Mediation Help

May 25, 2022 Mary Kelly Life, Death, Love, and Marriage Leave a comment

The Divorce Mediation Handbook
James
1997

Divorce mediation is a great topic for library collections and can be a cheaper alternative to traditional divorce. However, it isn’t right for everyone, especially when there are complex issues or unequal power dynamics. In 1997, this would have been a great choice for a public library collection. In 2022, the topic still has merit, but it is essential that this material is up to date.

I would like to also say this could qualify as an easy weed. Topics in the legal and medical areas are easy weeds just based on date alone. If the book purports to give advice to the reader for a current medical condition or current legal situation, the publication date automatically throws that material into question.

Polish Your Image

May 19, 2022 Mary Kelly Be Pretty, Making a Living 18 comments

Putting on the Polish
Malet-Veale
1993

Image enhancement is probably a good topic for a library collection. Almost all the job hunting books out there will discuss this issue. Dating books, etiquette materials, and other social type of activities often touch on this issue as well. The premise of this book is that how you present yourself is critical to both your business and personal life.

The information is weighted more for women than the information for men. Lots of makeup and hair tips for the ladies. I get the feeling if men simply got a haircut and combed their hair, they would knock that image out of the park.

I will also throw out for discussion that image issues in COVID driven workplace might make many of the job prep resources obsolete. Example: Interviewing via Zoom vs live. People, adjust that lighting and make sure you aren’t accidentally showing something distracting in the background.

Housewife Value

May 16, 2022 Mary Kelly Life, Death, Love, and Marriage 4 comments

What is a Wife Worth?
Minton
1983

This book represents an important development in the world of divorce law. The author, Michael Minton argued the economic value of homemaking in the late 1970s. Minton, an attorney from Chicago, argued that stay at home wives were entitled to assets from the marriage. He argued that there was economic value in homemaking. Prior to this time, a high earning husband can walk away with all the marital assets leaving a wife with nothing. Minton represented a former wife of a Sears Roebuck executive and obtained a settlement arguing that she contributed economically to their 39 year marriage and deserved appropriate compensation.

Miami Vice Scrapbook

May 13, 2022 Holly Celebrity Gossip and Advice 7 comments

Miami Vice Scrapbook
Friedman
1986

Submitter: In the 1980s, my mom worked for Tiger Beat and Right On! magazines and parlayed into a gig writing books about music and TV stars for Sharon Starbook, which included this illustrious tome.

Holly: It’s alive and well. (Not “well,” exactly, but it’s still out there!) Worldcat lists 19 holding libraries. 19 of you have some weeding to do. I’d love to see some interior shots of this book, though. If anyone wants to send some, I’ll update the post!

Vegetarian Jell-o

May 11, 2022 Mary Kelly You Ate What? 11 comments

The Sea Vegetable Gelatin Cookbook and Field Guide
Madlener
1981

Oh no! Another gelatin book has found it’s way to ALB. Brace yourselves! Instead of Bill Cosby and Jell-o treats, we have sea vegetable gelatin or agar.

I was okay at the strawberry souffle, and maybe the pineapple-coconut punch, but wait! Right next door is beet and red cabbage drink. Beets are not bad, cabbage is not (that) bad. Together in a drink? NO!

The worst picture is the Beef and Carrot souffle, with hard boiled eggs. Somehow seeing this dish is worse than reading the recipe. Given that agar is used as a vegetarian option for gelatin, it seems a bit odd to be specifically using agar for a beef dish.

Costumes Gone Wrong

May 9, 2022 Mary Kelly Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 8 comments

101 Costumes for All Ages, All Occasions
Cummings
1970

This book sure looks old and the illustrations are awful. I just want to cringe at “instant Oriental” as well as some culturally insensitive assumptions. Yikes. It certainly needs to move on from a public library collection.

This isn’t really for a serious costumer or theater person and it also seems a bit much for the basic Halloween costume or even school play. Is there a real need for an “Instant Napoleon”?

Not so Magnificent

May 5, 2022 Mary Kelly Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 8 comments

Magnificent Macrame
Solvit
1979

Another macrame book for your consideration. I dislike this one for being ridiculously oversized and square. (I really dislike oversize books.) If macrame is your thing, than I suppose this isn’t too bad. The crafts seem to be mostly wall hangings. (Ugh!) There is also that earthy 1970s brown, harvest gold, and avocado green theme throughout the book. I think it is time to admit that maybe 1970s decor wasn’t that great. (In case you need more evidence: this book on home decor, or this one, and especially this one by Barbara Taylor Bradford.

365 Shortcuts to Decorating

May 3, 2022 Mary Kelly Home and Garden 9 comments

365 Shortcuts to Decorating
Draper
1968

Looking for some decorating tips? Here is your book! The author sure did love prints. I got a headache just looking through the overwhelming of matching….everything. It is also amusing to take a look at study areas and realize there is no room for any kind of computer, printer, etc. The matching look was quite the trend back in the day. I think most of this resembles homes I remember from when I was a kid.

I was just reading an article (I can’t remember where/what) but it talked about how the pandemic has changed what people are now wanting in home design. Dedicated office space and larger spaces were at the top of the wish lists for new homes. Can you imagine spending the pandemic working from small desks and then trying to relax in that awful bedroom?