Pasadena Public Library

The main Pasadena Public Library has a tight parking lot with a lot of traffic. Walk, bike, or take public transit, if possible. Inside, there were quiet stations filled with hard-working studiers. This building is obviously older, with much of the original woodwork. The selection was grand! There was one homeless man in the women's restroom, but he was quite polite, and he left immediately upon our entrance (seemingly embarrassed). Pasadena is a lovely city. If you go, be sure to visit Old Town, South Pasadena, and The Huntington. And, of course, check out the LIBRARY! :) 

Pasadena Public Library

Rancho Cucamonga Public Library

Rancho Cucamonga Public Library

Excellent Poetry Selection at Rancho Cucamonga Public Library

LJ n Me in the Stacks, Rancho Cucamonga Public Library

In Any Language: READ. Rancho Cucamonga Public Library

Me n Sir William Shakespeare, Rancho Cucamonga Public Library

Readathon 2014

Please help me reach my goal of 50 books and $5,000 for Library for All. Consider making a donation to help this worthy cause, and I will keep on reading in full support. #LibraryForAll
CLICK HERE: Melodie Ashley's Fundraising Page

Library for All

Library for All: "To reach those who have little or no access to books, we are building a digital library and educational platform, designed for low bandwidth environments." First stop: Haiti.

I have signed up to be an Ambassador for this noteworthy nonprofit (what I mean to say is--in all seriousness--the coolest cause ever), and am in the process of becoming a reader in the fundraiser, Read-A-Thon. I have actively sought monies for running in 5K events before (namely, MS, BITM, and Mental Health), but I never thought of reading for a cause.****

****Did I mention this is the coolest cause ever? It is.

More to come, as I continue this discovery, and get my fundraising page up-and-running. Er, reading. Once I do, you will find it here: Melodie Ashley's Read-A-Thon Fundraising Page. Thanks in advance for any donations, and for all you do to help improve the lives of others.

What a Librarian Looks Like...

THIS is what a librarian looks like.

The Heretic's Daughter

And, speaking of female authors, I'm currently reading this gem for the Third Friday Book Discussion at Mohave County Library, Lake Havasu City.

Books by Women

I overheard a male patron tell his wife, "I think I'm going to get this book."
She looked down at the book in his hand, and said, "Are you sure? You never like female writers."
He responded, "You're right. There just aren't any good books by women. I better get a different one."
She agreed.

I refrained from offering a list of amazing women writers because, sometimes (often), people simply don't want such advice. My mother would quote Robert Heinlein, "Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig."

When I returned home from work that day, THIS was in my feed: The top 50 books by women authors to read for #ReadWomen2014, as recommended by Flavorwire's Michelle Dean, January 29, 2014.

I am considering the creation of a similar bibliography. Perhaps I will seek my Director's permission to kindly share the list with patrons... right after I finish reading all the books on Michelle Dean's list....

#ReadWomen2014