It's a library thing

I just joined this Library Thing. It's sort of a social networking site where people can enter the books in their personal library, write book reviews, discuss books, learn about book-related events, and get reading recommendations based on other members with similar books to those in your collection.

I've only added a few of the books so far, but I'm looking forward to adding more and getting recommendations based on readers like me.

Fairly fair

Librarians have the important job of providing access to information to the public, which might involve copying materials for patrons to use. The whole idea of copying is kind of muddled when it gets into the area of copyright violation, but some copying is protected under the fair use doctrine, which is explained through this video:


It's kind of long, but it's clever and cute.

Books about elephants

Last year my younger sister, who has always loved elephants, gave me the book "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. I really enjoyed the book, as it was one that I couldn't wait to finish but also dreaded finishing because I didn't want to leave the characters. There was something about elephants that made the book totally intriguing.

This week when I was out shopping, I came across another book about another elephant -- "Hannah's Dream" by Diane Hammond. I read the blurb and thought it sounded like it would be another "Water for Elephants," but was worried my expectations for a novel about elephants would be too high and that I would be disappointed if it didn't live up to Gruen's story.

Then yesterday I was listening to NPR's broadcast of The Diane Rehm Show from WAMU in Washington, D.C., and one of the guests was Hammond, discussing "Hannah's Dream." I was fascinated by the conversation. Hammond had worked with Keiko, the killer whale from the "Free Willy" movies, and she had amazing stories about the gentle giant, his habit of watching TV and communicating with the rehabilitation staff. She translated her experience into "Hannah's Dream" after seeing a video clip of a man taking an elephant that he had taken care of for 22 years to an elephant sanctuary. Hammond's story was very touching, and the novel she wrote must be, too -- she said during the interview that only one of 11 people in her family who read the book did not cry at the ending.

Now I am really looking forward to buying "Hannah's Dream" and sharing it with my sister, who first piqued my interest in books about elephants.

If you are interested in hearing the interview with Hammond that was broadcast on WAMU, you can find the Realtime Player audio here and the Windows Media audio here.