Western Novels

Many western novels have just come in. There are a number of Louis L'Amour as might be expected.

In the westerns that came in there are many authors represented by only one book. Did the reader not like any of the authors enough to buy more? Did the author write only one book?

What becomes a collection is to like an author who is writing plenty of books. In my library I have plenty of E Phillips Oppenheim and Joseph C Lincoln. Mary Lasswell was not as prolific a writer but I have at least one copy of all her books. I think no one could have all of Elbert Hubbard (Not L Ron Hubbard.) I do have a number of his writings.

A large number of romance novels have come in. Someone said that the romance novels are the same story with different names and locations. That concept is not new. The Stratemeyer Syndicate started by Edward Stratemeyer used ghostwriters to write most of the children's novels in the 20th century with new editions still coming out. Rover Boys, Nancy Drew, Tom Swift, Hardy Boys, Happy Hollisters and many more. These were all formula books with entertainment as the goal. I was always amused about the editing. Even name changes might not be caught.

We did get a nice comment from one buyer about the classics section.

Gradually the Book Room is getting something for everyone.

David Sneed

A Busman's Holiday in San Francisco

Today I was at City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco. I always enjoy visiting that store. I like the books and I like the ambiance.


I bought a copy of David Meltzer's new book When I was a Poet. A few brief excerpts:

AMULET FOR SILENCE
"Unplug the world.
If that's too hard,
turn off the electricity powering your house."


"A puzzle no matter
How I move it
Never solves itself. "

From the very lengthy poem When I was a Poet:

"When I was a Poet
the World was
a cluster of Words
splattered upon white space

When I was a Poet
I knew even what I didn't"

further along

"When  I was a Poet
Willie Nelson
was back to back w/ (sic)
Paul Celan                                   
side by side
On the Trail of Tears"


There are poetry books in your Meals on Wheels Book Room. You don't have to become a poetry addict. I certainly am not but from time to time I do enjoy poetry. There are so many different kinds. You can hate some kinds and love others. David Meltzer is in the genre of Beat Poetry. Like Allen Ginzberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti who founded City Lights. Some say beat poetry is full of despair. I say that it describes how things are. By knowing how things are we can more easily make changes. 


David Sneed

Ann McCaffrey Festival

Most of the 131 Louis L'Amour books were sold today.

Now we have an abundance of Ann McCaffrey science fiction-fantasy books mostly hardback.

McCaffrey was an American born Irish writer and an important figure in the science fiction genre. She passed away on November 21, 2011 at the age of 85 at her home in County Wicklow Ireland.

These are the first of her books I have seen. They  are on the end cap under the bulletin board on the top shelf and the underneath shelves.

Better hurry!

David Sneed

Louis L'Amour Festival in Cheyenne Wyoming

The Meals on Wheels Book Room has received a donation of 131 Louis L'Amour western novels. 

I have never read any of his work. I know that he is quite popular. 

Folks are always asking for more western novels. We are dependent on whatever people donate. 

To give everyone a chance to get one of the books Cheri scattered them throughout the fiction section rather than put them all together. 

Otherwise she thought one buyer  might come in and take all of them. 

Why don't I read one? Right now I just don't have the time. My preference is non-fiction  and I have a backlog of unread books. 

David Sneed

Spring Cleaning is in Full Swing in Cheyenne

Spring cleaning is in full swing in Cheyenne.

The Meals on Wheels Book Room is getting plenty of books. 801 on Thursday alone.

Novels that were read over the winter have been moved out. The results of winter self-help study are now available to others. In some cases older books from further back in the basement have been donated. Right now there is clearly something for everyone.

Spring cleaning makes me think of the old joke "What is green and comes out of the basement on St Patrick's day? Paddie O'Furniture (patio furniture.)

Books selections are good as are other donated items.

David Sneed

The Cat is Gone

The mascot cat is gone. Something happened to it on Saturday afternoon. There was a sale on stuffed animals and we figure someone bought it cheap.

Today we brought in 891 books. Some really good ones too.

David Sneed