Monday, August 19, 2013

Who am I? Personality Types for Self Discovery by Robert Frager


If you attribute your character traits to a particular stellar constellation, or you feel you fit an INFJ profile (or a different combination of the Myer’s Brigg Type Indicator sets), this book might appeal to you. It is an interesting collection of articles describing various personality typing systems that includes astrology, Freud, Jung, business and leadership typologies, body typologies, and more. What I particularly liked was that the editor, and nearly every author included, stressed the fact that ““type” is meant to be an elastic, fluid and imprecise category, as in discussing a “typical” literary style, or a “typical” historical period.” To rigidly reduce the human psyche to a one-size-fits-all classification, is an abuse of any system and an over-simplification of the soul. 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: BF 698.3 .W46 1994, 2nd Floor, Social Sciences
 
Review submitted by Tracie Hall,
Law Library, Librarian
Rating: Recommended
   
 
 

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

I read this book every Christmas vacation from 8th grade through college, and at least a time or two in the thirty years since, but this was the first time in a long time.  Some of the luster has dimmed--it is just too sympathetic to the slave-owning south--but if you have the time, it really is an impressive story.  Ponder this:  GWTW was published 77 years ago, 75 years after the start of the Civil war.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 3525 .I972 G6 1964, 2nd Floor, Humanities
 
Review submitted by Nancy Stenerson Gonzales, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended
    

The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls


This is the story of two teenage girls, a pair of sisters named Jean and Liz, who have the same mother but different fathers. The story takes place in 1970 and follows Jean, who is called Bean, and Liz as they try to fend for themselves after their mother has a mental breakdown. They decide to take the bus across the country to visit their uncle while their mother is away. A coming of age story with a twist. Follow these girls as they learn their true past in a small town in Virginia. 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: MCNAUGHTON, 1st Floor, McNaughton

Review submitted by Jessica Bower, 
Leatherby Libraries - Interlibrary Loan Assistant
Rating: Highly Recommended   
 
 

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling


Mindy Kaling is an accomplished television writer and actor. In her book she reveals a lot about her life, her motivations, and her outlook on the industry and on success. She seems really cool and I would like to be her friend :) 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: MCNAUGHTON, 1st Floor, McNaughton

Review submitted by Carolyn Radcliff,
Chair of Public Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended   
 
 

Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris


Another pleasurable read from David Sedaris. This one has essays that strike me as a bit more harsh than those in his previous books, but there are still plenty of laugh-out-loud passages. A great escape. 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: MCNAUGHTON, 1st Floor, McNaughton

Review submitted by Carolyn Radcliff,
Chair of Public Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended   
 
 

Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan


A fun read from a funny guy. Jim Gaffigan is a good stand-up comic and his book is just what I expected. If you have kids you will probably relate to his experiences and his humor (he has five between the ages of 1 and 8). 

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: MCNAUGHTON, 1st Floor, McNaughton

Review submitted by Carolyn Radcliff,
Chair of Public Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Recommended   
 
 

The Pump House Gang by Tom Wolfe


This collection of Wolfe's magazine articles from the mid 60's starts with a true bang but more or less goes steadily downhill after that. Still well worth skipping around the bad for the handful of gems.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: E169.O2 W6 1968

Review submitted by Justin Slosky, Development Writer, University Advancement
Rating: Somewhat Recommended