dating, marriage, divorce, weddings, funerals
The Art of Loving
Fromm
1974
Submitter: This book was submitted into our library as a donation. Due to its age it won’t be joining the collection. First published in 1954 and later again in 1974 (this is that edition) it’s your standard love and romance psychology book. However, there are plenty of newer books on this topic and ones that deal with a more diverse set of couples.
The Dating Game
Miles
1975
If you are old enough you probably looking at the cover and expecting the book to be about the actual Dating Game. Similar font and general look. However, this Dating Game is directed at young people. Although the author is self-professed biblical fundamentalist, it isn’t as bad as some books in this category.
If this was 1975, and you were looking for a Christian teen dating book, this would probably be fine. Themes and topic aside, these materials age because the references and examples. Today’s teens (and their parents) probably wouldn’t understand or relate to any of the references. By the mid 1970s the Dating Game tv show was more or less relegated to re-runs and was kind of outdated reference for a teen book in 1975.
Teen Dating
Stewart
1984
Aside from the crunchy brown paper, and a girl sporting a Cosby sweater, this isn’t too bad on the teen dating advice front. Yes it is outdated, but the advice is pretty generic. Look for qualities that are about friendship, be respectful, etc. A lot of the book is devoted to understanding social situations. There are tips on throwing a party, entertaining a date, going to prom, and other group activities as well.
However, it is glaringly out of date in terms of technology and social norms. I also think it is important to reiterate how important cover art is to getting someone to actually pick up the book. Fast forward 10 or so years, and the book looks dated. After 30 years, it is a book suitable for this blog.
Online Seductions
Gwinnell
1998
Before all the dating apps, Facebook, and other social media all sorts of interactions were happening in the early media of AOL, Prodigy, and BBS groups. The author professes to neither be “for” or “against” online matches. She has mostly anecdotes of both successful and not so successful matches.
Online dating is pretty mainstream now, so although her advice is not wrong, it is out of date. Time to let this one go and update with something from this century.
Love at Work
Using Your Job to Find a Mate
Kent
1988
Remember the bookHow to Marry the Man of Your Choice? How to Marry the Man of Your Choice? Well, our author strikes again by offering up the workplace as a potential spouse hunting ground. Thinking of my jobs past and present, I am not so sure I would choose someone from my workplace. I can feel every person in HR just cringing and saying “this should end well”.
Will I Go to Heaven?
Mayle
1976
Submitter: This book comes from a small public library. It has had 4 circulations since 2001. That alone is enough to pull the book. Then there are some questionable illustrations and text that are a bit confusing and likely offensive in today’s social climate. For a children’s book there is A LOT of text. There are also some torn and stained pages. We do get requests for children’s books on death and heaven on occasion. It’s a difficult topic to explain and this book would likely confuse young minds.
Holly: Ughhhhh. I’m really tired of these cartoony images of historical and cultural groups of people. It’s not cute. And did we ever need children’s books with beer-guzzling Vikings? Ummm…no. We didn’t.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
We feature so many love themed books here on this site, so let’s revisit some of these posts as we enjoy a day of romance, or not. Back when I was a teen, I thought it was hilarious to wish someone Happy V.D. So let’s kick off this holiday with some real VD. Tacky teenage humor aside, books like these need to be weeded asap. Aside from the downright outdated versions, there is also a subtext about the women who are diseased.
Let’s be safe out there this Valentine’s Day.
Naturally. the library should be your first step in your quest to find Mr or Miss Right. Fortunately ALB is here to highlight some of those special books to aid you in your quest. Of course, the best (and by best I mean creepy), one is The Complete Guide to Meeting Women. For the love of all that is holy, please don’t use this book as real advice.
Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone.
