Awful Library Books

TV of the late 1970s

June 6, 2022 Mary Kelly Entertainment, For the Kids 12 comments

TV Time ’78
Herz
1978

We have featured many of Peggy’s books here on the site. She generally writes pop culture type stuff for youth. Probably not the most glamorous of writing gigs, given the parameters. Totally appropriate for the time and probably was good for those reluctant readers looking for stuff about television shows. All the big hits from the 70s and 80s are here: Rhoda, Mork and Mindy, and Happy Days.

She also did compilations like this one. A little bit of age appropriate gossip and some pictures of the celebrities. All clean and sanitized for our sensitive children.

Just No Gelatine!

June 2, 2022 Holly You Ate What? 20 comments

The Knox Gelatine Cookbook
Rutledge Books, Inc, Knox Gelatine, Inc
1977

Submitter: Just in time for those summer gelatine/Jello salads – who wouldn’t want calico corn relish, creamy cranberry relish, or a zesty seafood appetizer in gelatine? The pictures just make my…mouth water would not be the right phrase. This one is off to the sale cart.

Holly: That corn thing looks disgusting, and I’ll eat just about anything! What was the obsession with gelatine in the 70s?? Especially paired with weird things like fish.

Mary: Jell-o-type products should only be used with fruit cocktail and maybe some whipping cream, if you want to be fancy. Even reading a recipe of one of these “savories” makes me gag.

Under Pressure!

June 1, 2022 Mary Kelly Talkin 'Bout My Generation, Vice Patrol 9 comments

Drugs and Peer Pressure
Myers
1995

I think this is probably the billionth “drugs are bad” book posted. I think they are almost identical in format, message and I am willing to bet the same stupid photos. Actually I should call these books the Drugs and <fill in any condition> series.

We have Drugs and….

Every time I look at the pics in all of the books mentioned, I just want to cringe. Sometimes, they don’t make sense of the “story” or example, sometimes it looks like they are trying too hard. I think my teen self would have rolled my eyes at the teenagers presented. Some of the teens look to be in their early 40s.

Decorating Ideas

May 26, 2022 Mary Kelly Home and Garden 13 comments

Decorating Ideas for Every Room in Your Home
Eisinger (Ed.) /Knapp (Illus)
1969

Another decorating books from the olden days. For those of you looking for retro chic, this is your chance!

All our 60’s favorites are here:

- Seizure inducing prints
- Matching everything
- Crappy/meaningless artwork
- Blinding colors and patterns

It’s almost like Beverly Hillbillies meet the Playboy Mansion, with some Grandma stuff on the side.

No thank you. Please use caution viewing the interior pictures.

Divorce Mediation Help

May 25, 2022 Mary Kelly Life, Death, Love, and Marriage One 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.

Housewife Value

May 16, 2022 Mary Kelly Life, Death, Love, and Marriage 5 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 8 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.