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Jun 04 2013
How do you find your next read?
Summer is here, squelching our desire to be outdoors with the high humidity and mid-afternoon temperatures in the 90s. Our routine of withdrawing to the cool embrace of air-conditioning is already in place by the lunch hour, and when we do, we each find our favorite place to settle in for interesting, slightly irreverent conversations, followed by an hour or two of reading.
Of course, before we can begin reading, we must have a book to read. I've given this a bit of thought, and I am convinced there are three different ways people go about finding their next read.
First, there are the LISTERS.
This is the category I fit in. I love lists, so when I hear of a new book recommendation, I immediately add it to an ongoing list.
LISTERS may have extensive online book wish lists at Amazon, goodreads, or any other place where they can organize multiple books, rate their level of interest in each book, and give information about who recommended the book or where they first heard of it. LISTERS may also maintain a book list on their phone, tablet, computer, personal diaries, or even better, a designated book journal that provides a page devoted to each book (with a space for title, author, date read, and comments).
These readers are often detailed *cough* anal-retentive *cough* and love to share their book lists with anyone and everyone.
Next, there are DIGGERS.
DIGGERS like to find their own books to read, and don't typically work off lists. Usually their titles are somewhat random and often, off-beat. If a DIGGER chooses to record a book recommendation, they may write it on the back of their hand with a Sharpie, on a coffee or tea-stained envelope, or a grocery receipt crumpled in their pocket, bag, or as a marker in their latest book find.
They don't just consume books, they collect them, so it isn't unusual for adult DIGGERS to have a library with 1st editions signed by authors, or full sets of the Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, or classic literature series from their childhood. Younger DIGGERS who don't have the resources to pick up rare finds will utilize local libraries to wet their whistle.
These readers may select, memorize and record favorite passages from books on cards or artwork and make for interesting dinner guests as they often have interesting things to talk about. They are found in libraries, small brick and mortar bookstores, book swaps, garage and estate sales, and sometimes, even a Half-Price bookstore.
Finally, there are FLOATERS.
FLOATERS approach their reads more organically. Unlike the LISTERS or DIGGERS, they don't really have a plan, but "come into" their books much like one floats down a lazy river, receiving whatever might come their way. They are slow readers because they don't feel rushed to get to the next book; the book they have in front of them is all they need at the time.
They are not necessarily the person you want to lend a book to because they take them wherever they go – stuffing them into backpacks and totes. They are not concerned about bent covers or pages. FLOATERS dog-ear pages, and you may never see your book again because they release books as easily as they come into them – "Who can own a book?" they say.
I've always wanted to be a lazy river kind of person, chilled-out, going with the flow, and completely relaxed, but it's simply not in the genes. In fact, it sort of stresses me out right now to think about it.
It is still early in the Summer, but we have managed to make a nice little dent in the past month.
HEATHER (LISTER) – I read for one of two reasons: personal growth (work and nutrition, primarily) and to unwind or escape for a few hours.
» Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
» Veg Power published by Weight Watchers (recipe book)
» The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
» Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult
» Beach Road by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge
EMELIE (DIGGER) – Emelie reads for inspiration. This summer she has been curious about how people perceive and use creativity, including how they manage to insert creativity into their everyday life.
» Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
» Lateral Thinking for Management by Edward de Bono
» Reality Hunger: A Manifesto by David Shields
» Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
» The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World by Lewis Hyde
» Just Kids by Patti Smith (Not shown, but Em's favorite read so far this summer.)
MEREDITH (FLOATER) – Meredith spends more time writing and playing music than she does reading. When something comes her way that she finds interesting, she will lose track of time as she reads through the night. Mer particularly likes mystery, adventure, and fantasy, and is also a sucker for romance, "but not when they take it too far, or it gets inappropriate" she asked me to add.
» Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
» Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
KENNY (LISTER) – Kenny likes fantasy novels and just about anything to do with dinosaurs. He is very detailed and is attracted to books where he can gather information. The book you see listed below, "Teach Yourself to Fly" was given to him by my Daddy, his Poppa Ken, who read it as a boy. Kenny is reading it because his Poppa Ken has promised to take him flying when he turns 12, and he wants to be well-equipped.
» Dinosaurs: The World's Most Terrifying Creatures by Veronica Ross
» Teach Yourself to Fly by Nigel Tangye
Each Summer I search the web for the current "Popular" Reading Lists to get some ideas. Here are a few I've found:
» Summer 2013 Reading List at goodreads
» Your mega summer reading list: 200 books recommended by TEDsters by TED Blog
» Best Summer Books 2013 by Publishers Weekly
» 2013 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults by Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
How do you go about finding your next read? And if you want to share your Summer Read Recommendations, please list them in the comments below!
About the Author: Tired of feeling overwhelmed, Heather Sanders and her husband Jeff faithsized their family into a 960 square foot lake cabin in need of renovation. She writes about faith and simplifying your desires so you can be content right here and right now.
83 Comments and 35 Replies
Kate On Tuesday, June 4 at 5:54 am
I'm all of the above!
I have a list, which I dip into every now and then. I will also choose a book based on a concept or train of thought related to what I was reading previously, and then I go through stages of reading everything in a particular genre, or by a particular author.
I rarely read off 'best seller' lists, and I can only hope that one day I'll have a schedule or plan to my reading. I go through stages, I'll read for weeks, then nothing for weeks. All a bit haphazard I'm afraid!
Also, I love my Kindle. Am embarrassed to admit it. I love being able to take 100 books with me wherever I go. I love the feel and nostalgia associated with a book, but the Kindle is just too handy.
IrishMum On Tuesday, June 4 at 6:14 am
LOL @ Meredith and them not taking it too far! I totally agree Meredith, some things should be left to the imagination.
Paula B. On Wednesday, June 5 at 9:49 am
I'm with Meredith on that, also. And, I'm many decades older than she. Like her other choices, too. Give me a good mystery and I'm up all night finishing it!
Meg A On Tuesday, June 4 at 6:18 am
I'm definitely a DIGGER, which was very dangerous for me during the many years I worked at a wonderful used book store! Reading Kathy's comments above, please don't ever be embarrassed of your Kindle – I'm a book person to the core, but also love my Kindle. Anything that makes it easier for us to read is a good thing!!! I've even found, thanks to Amazon recommends, that I can satisfy my love of new authors, and they're books are usually very inexpensive (or free). This way if I find a book that looks interesting, but really isn't to my liking, I don't feel guilty if I don't finish it. Which brings up another book issue for me – when I was younger I always felt the need to finish any book I started, no matter how much I wasn't enjoying it. Now that I'm older, and I hope a little wiser, I've found that there are just too many other books just waiting for me to waste time on something that hasn't caught my interest. Happy Reading!!!
Meg A On Tuesday, June 4 at 6:19 am
OOPS – sorry Kate, It's a bit early and I misstated your name as Kathy. Please excuse me – haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet
farmwifetwo On Tuesday, June 4 at 6:30 am
Goodreads I read about 300 books a year and mostly to take my mind off of the real world. Mine are old enough that I finally stopped reading autism and homeschooling books but haven't decided what non-fic to replace it with. I read everything.
Melissa A On Tuesday, June 4 at 6:32 am
I am a combination of all three! My "Wish List" at amazon currently has *gulp* about 35 books. My husband and I (and now we've passed it onto our kids) have a terrible habit of collecting books — during our move a few years ago, we had so many the moving company charged us extra for "Unexpected Heavy Freight."
I read a few books on your list, Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult (I read most of her books and now my daughter is starting to read them, too). I also read Just Kids by Patti Smith, it was a great read!
This summer I am working my way through the classics, my oldest daughter is starting high school in the fall and I realized it has been awhile since I cracked open Catcher in the Rye, The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, Huck Finn, to name a few. I would like to refresh my memory so I can talk about them with my kids when they read them for the first time.
jeannine: waddlee-ah-chaa On Tuesday, June 4 at 12:19 pm
Melissa I loooooove those classics. I come back to them now and then and read them again. I've read To Kill A Mockingbird at least 7 times. Every few years I need to revisit the characters. They are like old friends to me.
Laura W On Wednesday, June 5 at 1:46 am
My Amazon wish list is holding steady at between 75 – 80 books! I read a sample, and then add it to the wish list instead of buying it. Every once in a while I go through and see if anything is available for a reduced price, or available from one of the three libraries I have cards to that do e-book loans.
Liz On Tuesday, June 4 at 6:58 am
I read thematically, letting people and radio programs/blogs have some influence on recommendations. So, for example, I've been reading a slew of books on feminism lately (highly recommend The Lost Daughter, by Mary Williams!), interpersed with some more random reads (I am glad I stuck with Haruki Murakama's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running). If I feel I'm getting bogged down a bit, I'll just totally switch things up: a culinary mystery (trash book), sci-fi or fantasy, or other random books I have laying around that I haven't read yet but really want to.
Like many respondents thus far, I think I'm some combo of all three – especially as lately I've been fantasizing about beginning some small collections in a personal library. (But have resisted as I'm not settled yet, and books are the victims during moves…)
natalie On Tuesday, June 4 at 7:10 am
I am a digger for sure – I take home 30 or 40 books from the library at a time. (I am 12 years old)
natalie On Tuesday, June 4 at 7:11 am
Did I mention I love to read? = )
Catherine M On Tuesday, June 4 at 8:34 am
yeah, i think you did! i'm 13 and just read a great book you would probably like – The Apothecary, by Maile Meloy. i am so excited because the sequel comes out today!!!!
natalie On Tuesday, June 4 at 11:27 am
Thanks, I'll have to read it.
Joyce C On Wednesday, June 5 at 12:54 pm
I'm long past 12 yrs old but your recommendation of "The Apothecary" led me to see if our local library had it on CD so I could listen to it while driving across 3 states on my summer vacation. I hope it will be available when I am ready to leave!
PamB On Tuesday, June 4 at 7:59 am
So enjoy your posts about books. I bookmarked your post 'My Name Is Not Isabella' and have referred to it many times for book suggestions for my grandchildren. I enjoy reading so always like to see what others are reading for suggestions for me.
Kessie On Tuesday, June 4 at 8:02 am
I follow a lot of book blogs, like Literary Rambles, that cover up and coming books and do giveaways and things. When they review a book I'm interested in, I stick it on my Goodreads list and look it up at the library.
Alternately, I've found some great books just browsing the library shelves. The Magic Thief trilogy by Sarash Prineas was excellent (juvenile fantasy). Very original dragons.
kellymarie On Tuesday, June 4 at 8:21 am
I am the Lister and Diggers..Books on Ipad or nook wont do. I need something tangible … I have such of an assortment of books to read.. From Visual Learners(for education about my son), Anything(christian book(), to Monster Hunter(personal enjoyment).. Though I am not a big " romance" reader.. I am the type of reader who doesnt fold over her pages, uses a book marker and if I lend out my books I want them back that way..
Catherine M On Tuesday, June 4 at 8:32 am
I'm thirteen and before middle school, when my reading slowed down, I had a new book waiting as soon as I finished one, or I reread a favorite. Recently I was give the novel "The Apothecary", by Maile Meloy. I couldn't put it down and I read it in less than 12 hours. I was excited to discover that the the sequel "The Apprentices" was coming out TODAY! I cant reccommend The Apothecary enough for others to read. Its Harry Potter meets science meets cold war era.
Catherine M On Tuesday, June 4 at 8:37 am
also, i dont even really like Harry potter, but i love this book.
Mary Agnes On Friday, June 7 at 1:19 pm
Hi, We listen to a lot of books on CD in the car. A great narrator makes the book. We listened to the Apothocary & loved it. Great book. I am thrilled to hear the new one is coming out. My dd loves fantasy. We've read our way through a lot of dragon books. One series she liked was called Dragon Slippers. This author also has a new series called Tuesdays at the Castle. The second book just came out, something with Wednesday in it.
Beverley On Tuesday, June 4 at 8:51 am
I love to read and find lots from friends recommendations and reading the book jackets. I read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night- it was on my sons reading list for a first year university English course. I don't know if I would have chosen it my self. How did you enjoy it?
amy j On Tuesday, June 4 at 9:08 am
Im not quite shre which catagory I fall under. I love to go to the library and I first look at the new realeases and if there isn't anything that catches my attention I walk the many isles of books. We don't have cable right now so I read about 8 to 10 books per week…
Deana On Tuesday, June 4 at 9:13 am
Definitely a floater. Enjoying fiction right now…Charles Martin is a new favorite. Love, love, love your posts, so many great ideas and very encouraging.
Patty On Tuesday, June 4 at 2:48 pm
I love Charles Martin. I have his newest book 'Unwritten' ready to take with me to the beach this weekend!
Chrystal On Tuesday, June 4 at 9:22 am
Definately a Floater! I find alot of books that the library has put on top of the shelves for display! Do this for my kids too! There are tons of sections with "display" books so there are alot of choices! I choose books, that interest me, that I hear about from friends or from television morning shows where they interview the author or are recommending a particular book. Sometimes when I read a good book and it has sequels, then I go for those too. Also, when I'm searching for a specific book, I sometimes come across other books that interest me!
Denise On Tuesday, June 4 at 9:23 am
I recently found. http://www.goodreads.com. You set up an account, free, then enter books you have read and rate them. Based on what you have entered you get suggested reads
Pauline On Tuesday, June 4 at 9:27 am
I find all, well, almost all, of my books at thrift stores and yard sales. It's cheap and ecclectic. When my kids were small I had a very large bookcase full of paperback classics, bought for a quarter a piece. A book assigned by a teacher became hard to find at the library. I had Shakespeare, any thing that won a childrens book award, scientific, math, how-to, crafts- I became the local alternative library. My granddaughter-9- just got the Church to put up a 'borrow it or take it' bookcase in the basement for the summer. On a trial basis. Have you seen the man who started the "Little Library movement? Kenny- according to "The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy" it is easy to learn to fly. "You just throw yourself to the ground and miss it." The "Hitchhikers Guide" is a much better book than a movie. Emelie- I just got another copy of Mary O'Neill's "Hailstones and Halibut Bones", the grands LOVE IT. All ages enjoy it because it is a list of colors, each one with a list of how they make the author feel and think, in freestyle poems. Make your own list! Creativity to the MAX!! The 3 year old loves it as well as the 30 something's.
CATHYC On Tuesday, June 4 at 9:27 am
I'm certain that I am a Digger, I comb through all kinds of stacks of books garage sales, libraries, and i'm currently on vacation and doing laundry at the rv park we are staying at and have found a lovely stack of used books, you just never know whats to be found or where. Does anyone out there follow Kristin Hannah? I am waiting to get home to get her follow up book Fly Away this is the follow up book to her wonderful book Firefly Lane,can't wait to get hold of this. Happy reading
Kerry On Tuesday, June 4 at 1:42 pm
Hello CathyC!
I love,love,love Kristen Hannah too! I think I read Firefly Lane in a weekend… I could not put it down! I haven't gotten Fly Away yet either. But? It's on my list! Between Sisters, Distant Shores…wonderful escapes. I'm a huge fan.
Carrie On Wednesday, June 5 at 8:28 am
I am waiting for Fly Away too. My favorite Kristen Hannah books are Night Road, and Magic Hour.
marla the librarian On Thursday, June 6 at 12:26 pm
Almost finished with Fly Away. True Colors is very good. Winter Garden is excellent, but long and heartwrenching.
Merrisa On Tuesday, June 4 at 9:35 am
I am a lister for sure!! In fact, I have an Excel spreadsheet (with macros and imbedded links included!) to keep track of my books, which I have read, want to read as well as release dates for forthcoming novels. I am in love with the website http://www.goodreads.com as it can help you keep track of books you want to read, you can get recommendations based off of previous reads and look through lists of similar books to something you've just read. The site shows a synopsis of each book along with an average rating (based off community reviews) and links to other books from the same/similar authors. The site also has a feature in your "book shelf" window that will allow you to export the books you've marked to read on their site into an Excel spreadsheet. So you can manipulate it to suit your lister style! The site includes all ranges of books from Childrens, to Romance, to Psychology, to Non-Fiction. It is definitely worth checking out if you're a reader!!
Tulip On Tuesday, June 4 at 9:37 am
I think there may be a fourth group: haunters. May be related to diggers. I run a small public library and we have people who come into the library looking for "a good book". They hope we know what they want (one of our staff usually knows the person and his/her likes) and look for us to recommend reads.
Elizabeth On Tuesday, June 4 at 9:46 am
I grew up in a military family and am glad of it. One of the first places I would find when we moved was the library. I would read just about any book I could get my hands on that I was interested in until I had practically drained the library dry. Then we would move (usually every two to three years) and I would have a new library full of both new and old books to devour. I can't give enough kudos and thanks to all the librarians who have helped me over the years.
Tulip On Tuesday, June 4 at 2:14 pm
Elizabeth, I worked for the Navy for 30 years, supporting Naval aviation, and my husband was in for 30. Running the library is my volunteer retirement job. I know exactly what you mean!
Elizabeth On Tuesday, June 4 at 9:41 am
I am a combination Lister and Digger. I live in a two-bedroom apartment and one of the bedrooms is basically a library / office with the emphasis on library. That does not mean however that every room in the apartment (except the bathroom) doesn't also have at least one bookshelf that is usually overflowing with books. I have a list on my computer and many favorite authors that I follow and anxiously await their next book. I read a lot of books on my Nook but I also enjoy going back and rereading old favorites that I can physically hold in my hands. I don't buy as many paper books as I used to basically because I don't have room for them! But I will continue to buy books that are in "sets" or "series" by my favorite authors.
My parents have called me a bookaholic since I was three and I am proud of it! My favorite escape books are cozy type mysteries and some classic fantasy books. One of the series of books that I cannot recommend highly enough, even though another hasn't been published in years, is the Mitford books by Jan Karon. They are "slice of life" type books but you leave them feeling like you would recognize the various characters if you met them because they are your friends.
Grammanita On Tuesday, June 4 at 10:03 am
Don't quite know what sort of reader I am. If I happen upon an author I like, I'll try to read everything ever written (lately, that's been Barbara Kingsolver). Have been hooked on Sci Fi, thanks to my brother threatening dire things if I didn't read the Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov, years ago. That led to Robert Heinlein and Ray Bradbury. They turned me into a Trekkie. Police procedurals, what I call "gentle murder" series like Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Some Stephen King….not his "monsters from Mars" books…prefer the ones that play with your mind. Zane Grey was my author of choice when I was considerably younger. Then the books like "To Kill a Mockingbird" (I loved Boo), "Treasure Island", ALL of the Oz books……. hmmm, I see a theme developing, here….compulsive/obsessive! Was that one of the categories? My mother starting to read to us when I was six months old, which meant that my brother was hearing it in the womb. She said I was born with a book in my hand….the credit is all hers. To this day I keep a book in the car so that I can read while waiting on a grandkid or in case I get stuck someplace with time on my hands. I don't know what people who don't read do with their lives…..so many books, so little time.
dc On Tuesday, June 4 at 10:21 am
Cracked me up! I'm a digger, totally!! lol
Amy On Tuesday, June 4 at 10:23 am
I am definitely a "Lister." I love, love, LOVE Goodreads for keeping my lists of my own books. For my kids' books I have 10 pamphlets, each with 100 books, that I take to the library with me at least once per week to grab a big bag full. They are 4, 2, and 1 so I get mostly picture books and some easy readers. The pamphlets are from my Mom's library program "1000 Books before Kindergarten" (she's a children's librarian). I am slightly (totally) obsessed with checking off the books as we go through them.
I just wrote a post about my own summer reads. You can check it out here if you're so inclined: http://motherhoodandmiscellany.com/summer-reading-list/
I may have to add a few of the above books to my Goodreads list! Thanks for sharing.
Wendy Miller On Tuesday, June 4 at 10:51 am
I think, if I fit into any of these, it would probably be a mix of all three. I have lists of books, but I don't always use it. I will dig to look for books when a topic becomes of particular interest, but I'm also one to just go with the flow and take books as they come.
Generally, I tend to run through titles. When a title catches my eye, I then read the blurb and see if it continues my interest or makes me lose interest. I also sometimes go by the cover image.
I don't think there's any real method to my madness when it comes to choosing my next read.
Sandi On Tuesday, June 4 at 12:51 pm
Yup, that's me as well. Sometimes I have a list, sometimes I don't, and even when I have a list I still wander the aisles of the library to see what catches my eye or someone else set down where it didn't belong but it sounds interesting. I rarely actually purchase books, though. My parents were young and broke when I came along, and they instilled in me the value of the library. Bless Mr Franklin for that institution! I have neither the money nor the space for anywhere near the number of books I want to read, but I happily support the Friends of the Library group to help keep our library stocked. I used to have more time to read, and would read for both education and relaxation. My reading time is so limited now, I generally pick fiction from a variety of genres for the escapism.
Liz in OK On Tuesday, June 4 at 10:57 am
If Emelie hasn't read Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, she needs that one on her list too — it really made me think about creativity & the harnessing of it.
I think I float; all the time I have books on hold at the library with no recollection how I ever came across it to make the request. Last week I went to the library & found that I had AN ENTIRE SHELF to myself – my on-hold books. My husband won't even go there & pick up books for me when I get carried away like that. Many of those were books on cd for my boys – so I'm THRILLED to see your booklists here, more to dive into myself!
I've got no theme, no plan. Since last Friday I've read Fahrenheit 451, Unwritten by Charles Martin, Daddy's Gone A Hunting by Mary Higgins Clark, and I've started The Offering by Angela Hunt & The End is Near and It's Going to be Awesome by Kevin Williamson. Oh, and I DID wash dishes today, and even started some laundry, so it's not ALL books, books, books – just mostly. YEAH, Summer Break! (which doesn't even officially begin until after my last ACT prep classes this week)
Jen On Tuesday, June 4 at 11:03 am
Lister lol In fact I have a pinterest board for books im planning on reading, and ones ive read. I just went through the comments and put the books that looked good on the list, I also get lists of books from friends, and blogs, and am about to check out the ones listed above. My children read like crazy and I am in debt of the local library for saving me money I dont have to spend on books. My mom however is NOT a reader, and HATES to read (raised by a single mom) it is amazing that i love to read, however she supports the children reading and often buys them books to read
Tracy On Tuesday, June 4 at 11:17 am
I am a Lister! Just visited one of the sites you wrote about, TEDbooks, and wrote down a bunch of titles in my spiral notebook. I request them from the library and read what strikes me when they come in. I also like to look up favorite authors or books on Pinterest to find others who liked the same and find out what other books/authors they like. My favorite is checking in on Indiebound's Next List each month. They also have a Pinterest board. My favorites this year are Peace Like A River, Everyday, and all the Sarah Addison Allen books I just discovered and read as quickly as I could!
Sarah Fowler On Tuesday, June 4 at 11:26 am
I'm a huge lister. Thanks for those links – now the Goodreads list is even longer! (1,357 and counting…)
Shirley On Tuesday, June 4 at 11:33 am
I use book reviews & friends' recommendations…sometimes I just "shop" the shelves.
pjkupka On Tuesday, June 4 at 11:57 am
I am all of the above – plus being a librarian I am around books all day and just have books catch my eye. I read some book review magazines as well as the book reviews on book sellers web sites and read some of the bloggers. Then I start making the lists. I run three lists- library, personal library and nook. I am an eclectic reader, reading all genres. I usually read books at home and carry my nook away from home. Good reading everybody, whatever and however you find it.
PenPen On Tuesday, June 4 at 2:40 pm
Hey that's me. I think most librarians fall into the "all of the above" category. No matter what you are reading it is always good because you are reading and stretching your mind. Have a great summer reading!
Laurie On Tuesday, June 4 at 11:57 am
I am a lister all the way. I have multiple lists going depending on what is most accessible at the time (a piece of paper, my phone, the computer). I read reviews in the newspaper, People magazine and Good Housekeeping. I go to not one but two libraries, and like to check their new purchases list. I will look up a book I liked on Amazon and find similar books. I read lists at Amazon and at Good Reads. I haunt the new book shelves at the library. I have a long, long list of favorite authors and search for them. All in all, I am a book stalker! (I also keep a record of the books I have read-just the name and the date finished. It has come in handy from time to time.) Not surprisingly, I LOVE to read!
Sara On Sunday, June 9 at 8:48 pm
Book stalker! That's me to a T! I need to keep better track of what I have read. The other day I was looking for a novel in the library that I wanted to reread. I could remember what it looked like and that it had the word "garden" in the title. Thankfully, the library's search results include a picture of the cover of the book so it only took about 10 minutes to find. If I'd had to use the old-fashioned card catalog, I would have given up before I started. The book is "A Garden to Keep"…don't remember the author!
Miss B On Tuesday, June 4 at 12:02 pm
Speak is on my list too! A woman in my book club said that it was an important book for her. I have a copy but haven't started it yet. Any chance that Meredith could post a review of that one?
Cindy K On Tuesday, June 4 at 12:18 pm
I have found two books for me to read with my 11 year old son. (My eight year old listens from the other room) We have finished one already called "Hatchet" by Gary Paulson. It is about 13 year old boy who survives in the Candadian Rockies for 53 days after his plane crashes. My son loved it.
The other one we started yesterday called, "On the Wings of Heros" by Richard Peck. It is about a boy's life at the beginning of World War II. There are colorful characters, boyhood adventures, and good home town fun. The war is just starting so the tone may change as we get more into the book, but the beginning has made us laugh outloud several times so far. We are enjoying it.
As for myself, I want to get my hands on several books by Paul Washer who is a Southern Baptist preacher who I think is spot on about modern Christianity. I want to soak up all his thoughts.
marla the librarian On Wednesday, June 5 at 5:02 pm
Thre is a a part 2 to hatchet. not sure of the title.
Cindy K On Thursday, June 6 at 1:16 pm
Looking into it right now, thanks!
Cindy K On Thursday, June 6 at 1:23 pm
It is called "The River". Thanks again!
jeannine: waddlee-ah-chaa On Tuesday, June 4 at 12:27 pm
I guess I am all of the above. I'm usually reading 3 or 4 books at one time. I like a good novel to help me unwind at night. Currently, I'm reading The Soloist passed onto me by my niece. In the morning, I like to start my day with something that connects me to God and grounds my day. My sister gave me One Thousand Gifts for my birthday so that is how I am beginning my day.
I also read books to learn . . . how children learn, gardening, cooking, backyard ponds . . .
I never shy away from novels for young adults. I have found many excellent reads in the young adult section in our library!
And last but not least, I'm always reading to my children. Each day I read to them from a novel. It is a special bonding time for us. Like snuggling-up to watch a good movie but it last longer and we get to use our imagination. I also read tons of children's literature to them every day. Yep, we're ALWAYS reading!
Lili M On Tuesday, June 4 at 2:09 pm
Combination Lister/Digger. I recently discovered Goodreads, and put it to much use. I have it on my phone so that if I make an impromptu visit to the library, I have it on me at all times. However, get me into a dusty, musty bookstore and I will spend hours pouring over the books. I have a huge collection. I love the SMELL of books, and I immerse myself into reading. So, naturally I am a Digger, but functionally, I try to be a lister to stay organized.
linda b On Tuesday, June 4 at 2:19 pm
I read whatever strikes my fancy at the time. I don't keep a list, just order the book from the library as soon as I find one that looks interesting. Our house, especially the kids' rooms, look like haphazard library wings – shelves, stacks, bags, & crates full to overflowing.
Glad I am not the only one that reads 3-4 at a time! The t-shirt that reads, "So many books, so little time", is definitely for me.
I tried to get my kids to keep a journal of all they'd read, but my son wasn't interested & my daughter quit after a year or so. I so wish I had kept a journal throughout my life. It would be fun to look back & see what I was reading @ 14 or 24 or 35.
Cindy C On Tuesday, June 4 at 2:28 pm
Listener: ( Letters From the Herb House by, Harmon Sloan @amazon.com ebooks) I listen to recommendations from family and friends with similar tastes.
Cindy K On Tuesday, June 4 at 2:31 pm
Not sure if my comment went through so I am doing it again.
Two books my boys and I are reading this summer are:
"Hatchet" by Gary Paulson-already finished it and loved this story about a 13 year old boy who survives in the Canadian Rockies after his plane crashes.
"On the Wings of Heroes" by Richard Peck- just started this one and love it, about a young man's life just before WWII starts and beyond. It is full of colorful characters and humor so far.
As for myself, I am looking to get some books my Paul Washer, a Southern Baptist preacher who has some radical but Biblical ideas about how to live the Christian life. I am very inspired by his teachings based on scripture.
Blessings and happy reading!
Paula On Tuesday, June 4 at 3:09 pm
Not sure what I am – probably closest to a lister, but who knows. I do know that when I find an author I like, I proceed to buy every single book they ever wrote – because nothing bums me more than buying a book and finding out I don't like it – okay, what really bums me is knowing that I wasted money.
I also made the leap to e-books. The best part is being able to go somewhere for work and not have to worry about how many books to take – it's all on the Nook. I remember once going to Nebraska for training and reading all six of the books I had taken, forcing me to buy more books in the hotel and again at the airport. Now I don't have to pay extra baggage fees.
I miss the smell and feel of paper, but I was getting overriden with my collection, and since I'm a committed re-reader, I can't throw any book I like away. People ask me HOW I can re-read a book – and yet when I ask them, they are almost 100% guilty of re-watching favorite TV shows or movies – I tell them it's the same thing. Just like when you need a good laugh or a good cry, you know which movie to watch, I know the same thing about the books I've already read. It's like getting a chance to visit with old friends!
Sarah B. On Tuesday, June 4 at 3:47 pm
Oh, how I wish I would fit into just one of your categories. I think, however, that for me you'd have to create a fourth category – one that encompasses all three. I have a term in mind, but I'm trying to keep this post G-rated.
I have a list on Goodreads, and I add to it fairly regularly. I also have a separate list of classic books that I'm slowly working through. So there's the 'Lister' aspect. Today, though, I just wandered through the library and picked up books at random – 'Floater.' Sometimes I want to learn about something or read a book by a certain author or something that fits into a certain genre, and I'll be a 'Digger.' Sometimes I'll go through four or five books a week… sometimes I get completely burned out on books and won't read anything at all!
Ah, well. I enjoy my own unpredictability…
Lindsay Ann On Tuesday, June 4 at 3:59 pm
I'm primarily a lister, but I dabble in the other book finding arts as well. I read Lean In, even though I normally don't like women-y books, and really liked it. Of course I didn't agree with everything she said, but I was was fascinated by her discussion of the ways we limit or pigeon-hole ourselves, which is fine as long as that's our individual choice.
My favorite read of the past year was Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline.
Tracy On Wednesday, June 5 at 11:05 am
Loved that book! It was my favorite the year I read it, too!
Sarah m On Tuesday, June 4 at 4:25 pm
I am definitely a LISTER myself, and have extensive yearly lists that I add to whenever (and roll over whatever didn't get read the year before). I usually try to read a book a week (sometimes, a book will take me 2 months and then I'll read 3 in one week, but it averages out to about that) and try to have my list in January at around 35, so I can add to it as the year goes on and I hear/read about other books that pique my interest.
Your daughter Emelie has excellent taste in books, and although I can't remember her age…she will definitely be way ahead of the game if she decides to go to college or a liberal arts school. I didn't read that kind of nonfiction until I was mid-to-out-of college!
Sarah M
Sabrina Johnson On Tuesday, June 4 at 4:53 pm
I belong to two book clubs and I read what those groups pick, and suggestions from book club members ….and I write my reflections (not reviews) of most of what I read and post my writings at literalperfection.com – in case you want to check it out:) Thank you for being such an inspiration!
Abigail On Tuesday, June 4 at 5:28 pm
Digger! I didn't know it until I read your post, but that's what I do. I inhale books, rarely taking more than one sitting to read them. If I like an author, I'll find everything they do and read it. I love spending time in libraries and book stores, but especially libraries because they're free. If I write a list of things to read it's done on whatever's handy.
julianna On Tuesday, June 4 at 5:54 pm
I'm a floater. While I love to read, if nothing of inspiration appears, I keep my eyes open, but refuse to read for the sake of reading.
Annie On Tuesday, June 4 at 6:27 pm
Our seasons are opposite! As farmers, our summers are very busy outside and so rainy days and darkness are our only reading times. But when winter sets in, that's when the book piles get whittled down!
I am reading "Out of Minds – Learning to Be Creative" by Ken Robinson. If Emelie hasn't read it yet, she might find it interesting! (He has some great YouTube videos which she should watch first so that when she reads it, the words are said in her head in a wonderful British accent…..errrr, maybe that's just me.)
Katrina On Tuesday, June 4 at 7:28 pm
I don't really fit into any one of the categories. If I see a book on amazon that sounds interesting, I will download the free sample on my kindle. But I also love wandering around my favorite bookstore and buying books that catch my eye. I mostly read novels in just about every genre. I love reading and I get annoyed at how fast I finish books sometimes. I reread most books many times. I love having a kindle and being able to take hundreds of books with me everywhere, but I like reading paper books as well.
Esther W On Tuesday, June 4 at 7:37 pm
I work at a library, and see all types of books come across my desk. If it looks interesting, I'll check it out, or put it on hold if another patron is due to get it. If you know an author you like, but want something new that is similar, go online to NoveList. Look for Read-a-likes.
Kerry C. On Tuesday, June 4 at 8:51 pm
Pretty much all of the above! I tend to be more a floater nowadays as that is what my schedule leads me to but as my children become older, I'm looking forward to reverting to my digger ways. I picked up a Daughter's Journey thanks to Emelie's review and loved it (passing it on to my SIL as well). I also have books about parenting and personal growth (like The Shallows: What The Internet Is Doing to Our Brains and Boys Adrift) and history as well (starting Mark Twain's Autobiography Vol. 1 — wish me luck). Heck, the books cluttered around my nightstand run the gamut. I actually tend to have several books going at once and will pick up as I feel like (light-hearted romance or non-fiction tonight?) and keep going. BTW, for your son — Magician by Raymond E. Feist and as he gets older, the Dresden books by Jim Butcher.
Kerry C. On Wednesday, June 5 at 2:10 pm
Argh, meant A Daughter's Walk. Kind of a big word change there.
Jen On Friday, June 7 at 6:21 am
I actually checked out of my library Daughter's Journey based on your comment, I have yet to find time to read even the back…however I'll check out Daughter's Walk as well. Thanks!
Another Dawn On Tuesday, June 4 at 9:58 pm
I get most of my recommendations from The New Yorker magazine and National Public Radio. When I find a really good book, I go to the library and check out any other books by that author, usually beginning with their first. I do buy a few if I just can't wait on a long library list. That happened recently with the author David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas). I just could not wait to read his first novel. I also love the nonfiction in The New Yorker and seek out books from those authors.
Leslie On Tuesday, June 4 at 10:56 pm
I don't feel I fit in a category but I always have a book I'm reading & at least one "waiting in the wings". When bad weather warnings hit & everyone is out buying bread, milk, etc. I am making sure I have enough to read should we be stranded. My husband & son aren't readers but thanks to you I know I can feed them with what I have on hand & in the freezer! I feel I must share with you the only book I ever in my 50+ years I ever started over as soon as I finished it. If you are an animal lover (& I know you are) the story is told from a dog's perspective. " The Art Of Racing In The Rain" by Garth Stein. Good for all ages. Thanks for sharing.
Jenn On Tuesday, June 4 at 11:44 pm
I love a little humor, history, mystery, a little romance (without going to far! =))… and I also love a little country! Once I find a fav. author … I search out books that are recommended "because you read…you might like…" amazon, the library, authors that comment on the back of the book I read … I can usually find another like minded author that way! Susan May Warren is my current fav… I have read SOOO many of her books… she is a Christian writer and covers all my fav. things in a book! PJ Sugar series, Noble series (cowboys), Deep Haven series… loved them all! I am also a sucker for Modern Day Jane Austen type books… (without going too far!)… Kate Morton and Beth Patillo are two authors that I've read recently and LOVED! now I need to go read all the comments and see if I can drum up some new ones to check out!! =)
Carrie On Wednesday, June 5 at 8:10 am
I stumbled upon Ann Gabhart the same way, she was a "because you read . . . ". After reading Scent Of Lilac's (which took me a while to get in to), I just finished her Hollyhill series. You may like her too based on what your post.
Deborah J On Tuesday, June 4 at 11:55 pm
Oh, I am a lister and researcher. I go off on tangents though. I'll be reading a book set in WW2 and see something interesting on allotments or rationing, which then leads me to market gardens or frugal cooking. It's an adventure. Lifelong interest lead learning.
When I was a child though I was alphabetical. No one in our house read at all. I took myself off to the Town library and quite literally started in the A's and worked my way along.
Somehow asking someone about authors was intimidating. The library was my place of comfort, and I looked forward to that trip all week.
Laura W On Wednesday, June 5 at 2:11 am
I think I'm mostly a lister, with a bit of floater thrown in. I love coming late to a series, so that I can immerse myself in that series for awhile. The wait between books in a series is always interminable!
That being said, my favorite book that I've read recently is Written in Red (A Novel of The Others) by Anne Bishop. I LOVED it, and am so frustrated to find out that the next book in the series won't be out until next year!
Carrie On Wednesday, June 5 at 7:31 am
I am a lister, and I love goodreads. I also use evernote to keep a list of books I want to read with my kids. I feel like if I did not use goodreads, there would be so many books that I would want to read, but forget to do so. I use the online library too so I get on wait lists for the more popular books to get on my kindle. I like books like the Little House On the Prairie series, The Feast Nearby, Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt, the Matched series, the Divergent series, The Secret Life Of Bees, The Storyteller, and authors like Debbie MaComber, Kristin Hannah, Jodi Piccoult, Nicholas Sparks, I like books about the farming life. Come be my friend if you like similar books, I would love to have more goodreads friends with similar interests. [email protected]
Rebecca Ann On Wednesday, June 5 at 7:50 am
I guess I'm mostly a floater. I usually have a stack of books on my night stand waiting to be read but it's not anything that's on a list. I'm very excited to read the newest book I have! It's The Wishing Tree by Mary Beth Whalen. I have read all of her previous books so I'm sure this will be a great read. I need to wait until all my work at school is done before I start though because I probably won't be able to put it down!
Happy Summer reading!
laura elden On Wednesday, June 5 at 8:04 am
For those who own or are thinking of purchasing an e-reader, there's BookBub.com. Once you sign up and indicate your areas of interest, you receive a daily email recommendation of free or discounted e-books. I've gotten enough books to take the edge off the crazy, "I'm halfway through this book, what will I read next, and next, and next?" feelings I used to get.
As a book collector, I've come to really appreciate the fact that my Kindle stores over 100 books (so far) in a space smaller than 5 X 7 inches. I love the fact that I don't have to rush books back to the library to avoid overdue fines; they just magically poof away when the time comes. The Kindle is perfect for taking to the doctor's office or any other place where I might have to wait, and of course it's the perfect travel companion.
I thought I didn't want an e-reader, but once I started using mine I fell in love. Now I ask all my friends, "What are you waiting for?"
Carrie On Wednesday, June 5 at 9:53 am
I am a lister, I love goodreads. But I also rely heavily on reviews, from friends, amazon, goodreads. I scan the new releases at the library, online library, and I book stalk new books coming out from favorite authors.I will not read a book without first reading the review, there are too many good books to waste time on bad ones. I love books like The Kitchen House, The House Girl, Little House On the Prairie Series, Saving Cee Cee Honeycut, Matched series, homesteading and farming stories, Kristin Hannah, Debbie MaComber, Nicholas Sparks, a few Nora Roberts . . . .
Joyce C On Wednesday, June 5 at 1:13 pm
I guess I'm a Lister — with a sub-category of "favorite authors" — Anne Perry, Jeffrey Archer, Lillian Jackson Braun, Steve Berry, Ellis Peters (sad that she's gone — no more Brother Cadfael books), Sharon Kay Penman, . . . . etc. etc. etc.
Jesslyn On Wednesday, June 5 at 1:14 pm
I'm a Lister and a Whimmer. I keep lists on Pinterest, Amazon, and my phone (where I note recommendations from folks I'm chatting with). But let me loose for 5 minutes in a book store and I will always find something on a whim, usually completely not on my list but it grabbed my attention. Dan Brown's Inferno is top choice for this summer.
Ellen On Wednesday, June 5 at 1:48 pm
My latest trick to finding a book has been in reading the recommendations on the books or the sites. If I've enjoyed a book by Dee Henderson and then find a book she endorses, I'll check that book out. I totally realize this is how marketing works, and guess what, it works. If I've enjoyed one author, chances are I'll enjoy a book recommendation from that same author.
Lately I've been reading books by Colleen Coble. Lean In is on my list. My 8 yr old is into the 39 Clues books. The summer goal will be to find other books to put in the mix for him. I've used Amazon and book lists to help with this. He loved Wonder. The 4 yr old reads anything princess and pink. We put anything we can to broaden her horizons.
Last but not least, the library, the library, the library. We put many books on hold. We seldom buy books as we read them once and then they collect dust. We love going to the library. If in a hurry, we dash in and grab what's on hold. If we have time we linger and wander. BTW… I get cookbooks through the library too.
Marla On Wednesday, June 5 at 3:33 pm
I love this topic. I have a Masters degree in Library Science and spent 20 years as an elementary school librarian. My favorite parts of the job were buying books and storytime. (I hated shelving books). Contrary to popular belief, librarians do not get to read every book in the library. Purchasing decisions are made through reading reviews from reputable sources. I would just tear out the ones that seemed possible and dropped the reviews into a folder to use at ordering time. I still do that today, although professional journals are quite expensive so I use Amazon Best Books and reviews that I see in general interest magazines. Sometimes a book just calls your name. I had seen several very early reviews of The Help and got it the day it was released. I read 17 pages and decided that it might not be for me, so I set it aside. All summer I kept seeing references to it everywhere, so I decided to give it another try and loved it. Beloved authors get my attention, I am almost finished with Kristin Hannah's Fly Away. I have an unread Adriana Trigiani on my Kindle Fire and will probably read it next. The thing I love most about my Kindle is that my husband doesn't know how many books I have!!!
Gabrielle On Wednesday, June 5 at 8:18 pm
Apparently I am floater. I love to dog ear pages. In fact my husband scolds me about it often. I discover almost all of my books by wondering around the library until something catches my eye. My favorite summer read so far has been The Night Circus. This book was the most unique story I have come across in a while. Every woman should also read Loretta Lynn's bio, Coal Miners Daughter. She is an amazing woman who has experienced so much.
La On Wednesday, June 5 at 8:48 pm
At our local Christian school (two kids have graduated, the third is finishing elementary this year) the librarian has a "Readers' Challenge" every year for grades 4, 5 and 6. (high school starts in grade 7 here in Quebec) She chooses a list of books, different for each grade and gradually more plentiful for each grade, and each student who reads every book on the list gets a prize – lunch out with the librarian and a trip to a wonderful, local, mom-and-pop bookstore, missing school for the afternoon! The librarian puts a lot of thought into the books that go onto the Readers' Challenge lists and they have expanded my kids' horizons immensely. They are each readers but my oldest had no interest in the challenge – he wanted to choose his own books thank-you very much. My second loved to read but never knew what to read so it was a great way to choose her books. My third is extremely competitive so she has been the first one in her class to finish the challenge each year. Otherwise she probably wouldn't have even looked at some of the books on the list. Last year the librarian had major health challenges so was out for half the year. When she came back she didn't have energy to create three lists so she said the Challenge would consist of reading (for grade 5) twelve books that have won awards – Newbery, Governor General etc. (she places gold stars on the bindings of all award-winning books in the library then covers them with clear plastic) She thought this was a bit of a cop-out but I thought it was brilliant. A good way to create your own reading list.
Terry On Thursday, June 6 at 9:10 am
I see that someone already mentioned Novelist. I am a librarian in a public library and former homeschool mom (After thirteen years of homeschooling, my two darlings are all grown up and have careers that they truly enjoy). I then went back to school to earn an MLS.
There is Novelist fiction and Novelist K-8. Since it is a subscription database for the library you'll need to check to see if your library subscribes. There are many different ways to search by title, subject, age range, genre, best of. You can also check search by series. Novelist includes all the review sources so you don't have flip back and forth between websites (goodreads link is right there with many books listed). There are numerous lists of award winning books (to many awards to name here), even grab and go lists. There is author information and even lesson plans (picture book extenders and book discussion guides/ under more tab). Teach your kids how to use it and I am sure this will increase their reading pleasure when they can find read alikes and descriptions, they just have to click on their age range and search by those choices listed above.
If anyone gets Practical Homeschooling magazine, I have a previous article in the Sept./Oct issue on what information (Library) literacy skills your kids will need to know. I have a checklist included for a good start. Learning to use the public library and all its resources while understanding how to research databases is key. For me, the library is always a place to browse, join a book discussion group and take part in all the exciting programs. As well, many libraries have ebooks to download free as well some lend ereaders and ipads.
If your library does not have Novelist or Novelist K-8 request it. Librarians always have reading lists available and can direct you to other sites. Two of particular interest for boys are guysread and Mike Sullivans site, both sites geared totally to promote reading for boys http://www.talestoldtall.com/. Enjoy reading and do join the Summer Reading Program at your library, its not just for kids, there are SRP for adults too
Diane On Thursday, June 6 at 9:12 am
If I like the first book I read by an author, I'll go back and read pretty much everything they've published to date (for fiction, anyway). That really helps with the "what to read next" question!
Otherwise, I'm a bit of an omnivore. Having a Kindle, a bit of discretionary income and a willingness to try anything once, I've managed to accumulate a backlog of about fifty books…I keep them in a folder called "New" on the Kindle, then move them into other folders when I'm done. The backlog stays at about fifty, it seems, though I'd like to whittle it down over the summer.
I read a couple of blogs that regularly recommend deals on non-fiction, and pick up new reads that way (deals = under $5, what once upon a time used to be the price of a paperback). For fiction, I rely more on descriptions on Amazon and recommendations of friends.
Amy On Thursday, June 6 at 10:33 am
I love finding new books through Pinterest or blogger's summer reading lists. The Modern Mrs. Darcy has a great list. When I find a book I want to read I put it on my Pinterest board Books I Want To Read. But I love your idea of keeping a journal of every book I read & what I thought about it. It would be so much fun to look through years down the road.
I just read The Bookman's Tale & it was fabulous. Fiction but it's about an antiquarian bookseller who is trying to uncover whether a book was really written by Shakespeare or not. Mysterious without being scary!
Brenda LW On Thursday, June 6 at 11:26 am
I'm definitely the anal-retentive lister. I actually have a system. In the early part of the week I go to goodreads and check out recommendations. Then I put them on my "to read" list on my goodreads. I then minimize goodreads and open up my library website and either download those books to my ereader or place them on hold. I love goodreads!
laurah On Thursday, June 6 at 11:28 am
The most unusual way I found to read books two years ago was to start at the 'A' authors and read all the pink colored books in our public library. The librarians got a hoot out of my system but it opened up the reading possibilities to books I never would have read otherwise. Deciding last year to make cross stitch Christmas gifts for everyone on my list sparked a new love for me in this unique hobby. Am now making a self-designed tablecloth which when done (by July 1) will have taken more than 200 hours to do.
Coming up with 10 summer titles for my ninth grader included: Blue Zones by Dan Bittner, The Late Homecomer, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Little Princes, and she has picked Dracula, The Grapes of Wrath, Black Beauty, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Cry my Beloved Country, and Walk to Freedom. She will read many more over the summer but these ones will require essays on.
marla the librarian On Saturday, June 8 at 3:30 pm
You would be surprised when librarians get together and book recommendations come up..Even though we are highly trained professionals, often the sentence starts with "you know that thin book with the pink and yellow cover that lives over on the shelf with the K's, well it is awesome for teaching……"
LindaS On Thursday, June 6 at 12:33 pm
Years ago, there was a local independently owned book store. There was one guy who worked there who was fantastic at recommending books. You could tell him a book you read recently that you liked and why, and he'd recommend 3 other books that you'd love (and you really would). Once he passed away, I had a hard time finding books. Now I use Goodreads (as others have recommended) as well as the Amazon recommendations. I also ask friends what they liked, but now most are on Goodreads, so you see what they're reading and their reviews.
Michelle On Thursday, June 6 at 12:51 pm
I am definitely a lister and have enjoyed your book recommendations in the past.
If Meredith enjoys Attachments, I highly recommend Eleanor & Park by the same author.
marla the librarian On Thursday, June 6 at 2:40 pm
I have to tell you my Twilight story. The first time I heard about it, I was in a room of about 75 school librarians, all decked out in sensible shoes. When some in the group started gushing over Edward and Jacob, I thought: "Have you ALL lost your minds?" "Vampires?" "No Way". A few weeks later, I had a book fair and in the cases were the first two books. I picked up one and my reaction was just like all of the kids, "I am not reading this it is a zillion pages long!" During a lull in the selling and mostly stealing that was going on, I grudgingly thought it was my professional duty to at least give it a try. One month later, I had read all four books and passed them along to my anxiously awaiting 30 something daughters!
Dana B On Thursday, June 6 at 3:55 pm
Where would you place Addict? lol I have 5 pages (25 books/page) on my Wish list and 45 in my cart. To be fair, a lot of my wish list is school related.
Goodreads – Love it. Pinterest – great idea. Hadn't thought of it for books. I frequently take pix with my phone to get back to later to add to a list.
Lean In – loved it. Def recommend.
Just finished: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Highly recommend. Highly.
On my list for the summer:
– Sugar Changed The World
– Free to Learn
– American Jesus by Stephen Prothero
– And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
– Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
– anything by John Green
Haha, I guess I'm a Lister.
For the summer, I volunteer at the library – which means my stack gets almost unmanageable. During the school year, I have 4 stacks going: Fiction/Pleasure; School Books; Professional Books; Food, Life, Other Interest Books. This last year, I was buried and had to ditch my fun fiction stack {sniff} so I'm ready to knock out some serious fun books this summer beginning with John Green.
Also, for fun, I always orient myself to a new place by its library. It tells you a lot about the community and is a great base/meeting point for friends and family. Love you, public library.
Heatherbrarian On Thursday, June 6 at 9:32 pm
As a librarian, I hope you also stop by your local public library now and again to ask for recommendations! It's part of our job to help people find enjoyable next reads. Lots of libraries have online booklists as well.
Christine On Friday, June 7 at 3:19 am
Hi Heather,
thank you so much for this nice post!
I definitively am a floater. You are so right, there are always enough books around me so I just can get started whenever I need a book. I never buy them or keep them when finished.
But for specialist books I am a digger and I would never ever dog-ear them because I really treasure the wisdom and knowledge they contain. I prefer to buy them and keep them forever as I need them every now and then.
Have a happy summer
Jen On Friday, June 7 at 6:19 am
HELP! So I am asking here, because from here I was reading the comments and was jumping to search the books recommended. I found this person's blog that had book recommendations (fun ones to read, not well known) and I lost it I *thought* I bookmarked it but i didn't.
It was something about books that are great for kids that are not your average run of the mill well known books, and they were sorted by grade/age level on her/his blog. IF you happen to have this blog, or have come acrossed it, please let me know. I am sorry I am not trying to derail this subject as I LOVE it, (and have added 44 new books to my lists, thanks!!) it was just from the comments that i made the jump to the blog, and I cleared my history yesterday because thats when I always do it. *sigh!*
Again thanks for the Suggestions!! they rock!
rebecca On Wednesday, June 12 at 3:49 pm
You can check the timelaps if you remember the day you have been surfing around.
Amy On Saturday, June 8 at 8:44 am
One of my favorite websites for finding new fiction to read is http://www.fantasticfiction.com. I usually type in my favorite author's name (Diana Gabaldon as an example), then scroll down to the bottom of her page that is brought up and it actually shows a list of books that she herself has read and recommended, and so I've found lots of new authors using this method. I'm usually never disappointed, and then I follow the same process with these new authors, or some of my other favorite authors! Kind of a roundabout way of finding books, but I figure if my favorite writers enjoy them, then I will probably enjoy them too!
Val in MN On Saturday, June 8 at 11:26 am
I guess I'm primarily a digger….Until I find a book I love that is part of a series. (Alex Cross, Goldy the Caterer, Lucas Davenport) I jump online, figure out all the books in the series, and start acquiring/reading them in order. I will rarely read anything else until I get all the way thru the list.
Terry J. On Saturday, June 8 at 5:05 pm
This is one of favorite sites to find book suggestions and reviews. She has classics reviewed thoughtfully, as well as contemporary YA selections.
Sara On Sunday, June 9 at 8:39 pm
fantasticfiction.com is a good website for finding your "next book". For many authors, they list books that the authors themselves enjoy reading.
rebecca On Wednesday, June 12 at 3:45 pm
I go and find books at a second hand shop.
I have read – and enjoyed "The Charlatan's Boy" which Emely had recommended and I read "The Secret of the Swamp King" . But couldn't get Book 1 and 3 of the serie – would you lend me yours? (if you mail me I will give you my adress…)
So I go between floating and digging…
Thanks for sharing your bubbling ideas!
David On Monday, June 17 at 8:52 pm
I love that you are making us think about how we pick our books. I am currently working with a group of students over the summer to help them become stronger readers, and I think it might be interesting to have them think about which of the three categories they would place themselves in. Also, the book Creativity, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is awesome. I love his work! As for myself, before I pick a book, I usually have a topic that I am looking for. For example, since it was around Father's Day, I picked up the book 7 Men by Eric Metaxas. His thesis about the need for real role models is right on!


text:
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2010 Ornellaia - Le Serre Nuove Proprietary Blend - Italy - Tuscany - Bolgheri - Red
Italy - Tuscany - Bolgheri
Proprietary Blend
Producer Notes
A premiere estate located in Tuscany's Bolgheri coast, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia produces the renowned Merlot-based blends Masseto, Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove, and Le Volte. The unique microclimate and combination of clay in the soil eventually proved ideal, epitomized by the 2001 Masseto, which garnered 100 points from the Wine Spectator. The pinnacle achievement at Ornellaia, the Masseto has... More »
ScoreIWC ...
Drink DatesVF: 2018-2030

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Our interview with Mayor Gray
December 15, 2011 - 02:39 PM
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Today on NewsTalk, DC Mayor Vince Gray talked about the delivery of city services, the Occupy protests, the snow removal/winter weather plan, street cars and Wal-Mart. He also responded to allegations that city leaders are too "distracted" by scandal to govern.
WATCH today's entire interview here:
Friday at 10am: The latest on the deal to keep the government funded.
Short URL: http://tbd.ly/ts6Pfq


text:
Texas Bank & Trust (TB&T) has provided Buckner Children and Family Services with a title sponsorship. For the last 13 years TB&T has been such a faithful sponsor for this event that it is known as the Texas Bank and Trust Sporting Clays Challenge. This annual double-barrel (clay) bird blaster is Buckner's most profitable local …
Tag Archive: scott dickerson
Jul 25 2013
Birdshot and benevolence: Texas Bank and Trust Sporting Clays Challenge fundraiser a huge success
Business/Financial, Entertainment
July 25, 2013
Tags: adoption, At-Risk Youth, Back-to-school, bank, Buckner, Buckner Administrator David Ummel, Buckner Children, Buckner Children and Family Services, Christian ministry, clay pigeon, Clay Pigeon Shootout, Co-Chair Frank Chaney, Corporate Social Responsibility, Cushing, David Ummel, Dickerson, faith, faith based, Family Hope Center, Foster, foster care, Frank Chaney, Gladewater, gun, james Hortman, John Livingston, Johnson and Pace, Karen Partee, Kate, Kim Wright, Laney Newman, Lonesome Charles, Longview, lunch, Marshall, Ninos de Promesa, Perry Creek, prairie crrek clays, Prevention, Public Relations Karen Partee, San Augustine, scott dickerson, senior adult service, senior adult services, Services Special Event Coordinator, Services Special Event Coordinator Kim Wright, shoot, Shooter Laney Newman, shooting, Shootout, sponsorship, Sporting Clays Challenge, stemco, Stephen Trull, summer lunch, summer lunch program, tb&t, TB&T Vice-President for Public Relations Karen Partee, Terrell, Texas Bank & Trust, Texas Bank and Trust Sporting Clays Challenge, title sponsor, Tyler, Vice-President for Public Relations Karen Partee, Westminster Place
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/birdshot-and-benevolence-texas-bank-and-trust-sporting-clays-challenge-fundraiser-a-huge-success/
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text:
Zato Novo is a computational design studio that creates learning machines. We juxtapose human-centric interface design with data-centric system design. As digital architects we model the mathematical flow and evolution of data through systems and logic just as physical architects model the flow of people through buildings and space. Our products and services focus on deriving Foresight From Insight. We accomplish this by applying a combination of mathematical models plus soft real-time systems to solve problems related to information overload and noise reduction, as well as decision support and optimization.
We use design in the broadest sense, representing an optimization process amongst competing constraints. In engineering design, the tradeoff is between efficiency and simplicity, whereas in product design it is between form and function. Computational engineers must design models that optimize between generalizability and accuracy.
Our home page is a symbol of our work ethic and design aesthetic. We are uncompromising in asking questions and exploring ideas. We are students of history and culture and this breadth of perspective and understanding informs the way we look at the world and how we apply our scientific and technical wizardry to solve problems. We use artistic and creative exploration as a springboard to ask and solve mathematical and engineering problems.
The illustration is dynamically generated using Lindenmayer systems to generate the landscape, background plants, and the bamboo. The overall design is reminiscent of a wood block print, which itself is a multi-step process of artistry, craftsmanship, and design tradeoffs. The text on the bamboo is generated by a real-time Twitter feed powered by our flag ship Panoptez product for search intelligence and Ocellus for streaming infrastructure.
Zato Novo was founded by Brian Lee Yung Rowe as a vehicle for novel research and development. In addtion to in-house research, our work for clients include creating models to forecast consumer spending for a mobile banking startup and identifying and classifying legal clauses within contracts for a law firm.
Brian is also a professor at the CUNY School of Professional Studies, where he teaches mathematics and data analysis for the M.S. in Data Analytics program as well as the B.S. in Information Systems. He is currently writing a book "Modeling Data With Functional Programming In R" to be published in late 2014/early 2015 by Chapman & Hall/CRC Press.
Brian blogs at Cartesian Faith and is on Twitter as @cartesianfaith
Zato Novo offers professional services for model development. Whether you wish to create a custom model to leverage our hosted models (such as Panoptez), or are interested in a standalone model, we can help. We take a strategic approach ensuring that you understand the data needs of a model, how to validate models, and dealing with regime change. We guide you through the model development process from problem definition to model specification through to deployment.
Zato Novo provides bespoke training covering analytical methods and also programming languages. We can conduct multi-day workshops as well as individually tailored mentoring and tutoring.
Learn the modeling process from hypothesis to data extraction to model building to validation. We look at the different types of problems that are addressed in data science and the common aproaches. We review the fundamentals of linear algebra, probability and statistics. We then explore various machine learning techniques and discuss concepts such as feature extraction, variable importance, precision, and recall.
Erlang is a popular functional programming language known for its unprecented handling of concurrency. Getting is life in telephony, erlang now has broad acceptance for general server applications. For people new to functional programming, erlang can be a mystery. Throw in a bit of concurrency, and it fast becomes mystical. Zato Novo can help you gain mastery in erlang. We have published a number of erlang libraries (e.g. bunny_farm) as well as contributed to some prominent open source projects.
R is a popular statistical programming language. Like erlang, the syntax and semantics of the language can present a challenge to newcomers. Zato Novo can help you gain mastery in R. We have published numerous libraries in R ranging from general utilities like futile.logger (which is used in BioConductor), to domain specific applictaions like random matrix theory and portfolio optimization. We also publish lambda.r, which is a language extension that lets you write R programs with a functional syntax similar to erlang and Haskell (with pattern matching, guards, and type declarations).
Contact firstname.lastname@example.com to discuss how we can propel you over the learning curve.
The Internet is alive with conversation. Everyone is sharing, giving their opinion, and making their voice heard. But whose voice do you listen to? Without proper tools, all these conversations can be an overwhelming cacophony of meaningless noise.
And yet, for those who know where and how to look, this sea of data is rich with insights that can optimize your marketing and user acquisition in real-time. Unlocking the vast treasures buried within the depths of social media requires the power of Panoptez.
Panoptez is a soft real-time analytics platform and data service for social media. Panoptez provides a collection of streaming models that reveal the secrets within social content.
We all wear multiple hats and play different roles depending on the situation. Our persona is defined in part by how we communicate as well as what we talk about. Panoptez identifies the roles people play on social media and how to best utilize that information for your needs. Whether for marketing, product feedback, outreach, or content discovery, a user's role is vital in determining their credibility and whether their voice should be heard.
Another driver of credibility is a user's influence. Like personas, a user's influence varies depending on their situation. Influence is a component of credibility but also useful in its own right for measuring expected impact of communication. Arguably a tweet from The New York Times has more influence than a tweet from Beyonce, despite the latter having 8 times the number of followers, unless you happen to be a die-hard fan. Panoptez exposes contextualized influence so you know with whom to engage and with whom to listen.
So far we've only looked at the users but not the content. Aside from the general topic of a message, it is important to know the sentiment associated with a message. Is someone talking favorably about your brand or not? Over time and in aggregate, this information acts as the pulse of your brand, campaign, or angle on a story.
Most companies stop at sentiment, but Panoptez goes further. How important is a negative viewpoint that doesn't have a lot of conviction? Probably not much, but usually this information is hidden. Conviction is an integral part of Panoptez, so you can know if someone loves you or just likes you.
Social media discussions can be hard to parse as many simultaneous conversations are flowing through the same stream. Whether it is a hashtag, search query, or a single user's timeline, there's a lot going on. This interlacing of many signals in a single feed is similar to what Electrical Engineers call multiplexing. While the advantages for multiplexiing are legion for signal propagation, usually there is a corresponding inverse process to demultiplex the stream to recover the individual signals. Via machine larning algorithms, Panoptez can demultiplex multiple simultaneous conversations into separate streams so you can focus on only the conversations that matter to you.
Isolating conversations is useful, but in a single demuxed thread there is still a lot of noise. This noise takes the form of multiple slightly modified tweets, automatic re-posting of the same link, or possibly just garbage messages with little intrinsic value. By removing these types of messages from a conversation, it is possible to increase the signal to noise ratio by focusing on data with known information content. This means no more missed conversations nor drowning in a sea of conversations.
When something happens that is unexpected it is considered an anomaly. This can take the form of a breaking news story, in which case the anomaly will eventually decay into a non-anomaly versus a hacked account where the behavior of a user suddenly changes. This is sometimes referred to as regime change and is an integral part of Panoptez.
Regimes can be time-based or value-based. In time, a regime might be the amount of activity of a particular topic on a social media channel. When a signficant event occurs, the activity will change (and eventually decay). This sudden change of interest is what drives the regime change. In value-based regimes, the process governing its value may suddenly change. The consequence of this is that a model optimized for one regime may no longer be valid in the new regime. How regime change is interpreted is up to the end user, but the mechanics of regime change are constant. Panopotez discovers regimes and detects their changes using methods developed at Zato Novo.
To learn more about how Panoptez can help you, contact us at email@example.com.
Model development has a curious twist: while creating a good model is the biggest intellectual challnege, working with data is usually the biggest operational challenge. Many model frameworks exist so that people don't have to create things from scratch. However, the interfaces between the models and the data are rarely compatible. This translates to a lot of data manipulation throughout the model development process.
Data comes in all shapes and sizes. Two core forms of representation are hierarchical and tabular structures. Hierarchical structures are essentially graphs and are also known as nested structures. Examples include formats like XML or JSON, where elements can represent either a node or a terminal element. This type of structure is very flexible in the sense that any arbitrary hierarchy can be represented in the same data set. In tabular data structures, data is represented as rows and columns. In this format, rows are discrete records of data and columns represent values for individual fields. Here the underlying principle is that all pieces of data have the same structure. Tabular structures are useful in data analysis since aggregation and many forms of analysis expect each record or sample has the same fields. From this perspective, tabular structures, and denormalized tabular structures in particular are efficient and convenient to work with for modeling. In general, Zato Novo advocates using denormalized tabular data as the standard structure for model development.
Obviously not all data comes prepackaged in a denormalized table structure. Most web APIs produce JSON, while many databases have normalized tables that must be joined and transformed to denormalized structures in memory. Models often require raw scalars or other primitive values, which requires further transformation.
Enter Odessa. The purpose of Odessa is to remove the headaches
associated with data interoperability, simplifying the process of
taking arbitrary datasets and intelligently denormalizing them.
JSON structures can quickly be converted into a
In addition, Odessa knows how to join datasets together based on
the fields contained in the datasets. With Odessa you can leave
the data munging swiss army knife at home and focus on discovery and insight.
The challenges associated with transforming hierarchical data into
a denormalized table structure is that there is no obvious mapping between
missing nodes and elements. Even more challenging is converting non-scalar
elements into a tabular structure. Odessa solves this with two
complementary approaches. The first is using reasonable defaults, such
NA for empty/missing data, assuming all associative arrays
are nodes, and arrays are elements. This works well for most cases.
Extraordinary cases require custom handling, which is the second approach.
This is similar to a SAX-like parser for XML that focuses on parsing
and node traversal while handing off actual transformation logic to
a callback function. In reality, SAX parsers don't manage the graph because
they pass events based on tags. Odessa tracks the node structure, as this
is used to provide context to the callback function.
The magic of Odessa appears in the form of automatic joining of tables. In an ideal world joining datasets together is a straight-forward process when each table has compatible primary keys. This is usually the case in a single database, but the moment disparate systems and datastores must come together, this vision of an idyllic world is shattered. In a decentralized world, it is rare that datasets will have perfectly matched keys. Setting aside when it is appropriate to join disparate datasets together for analysis, the mechanics of creating compatible keys is a messy process that requires parsing, regular expressions, casting, and even lookups.
Odessa makes the messiness of data interoperability a quaint anachronism.
Behind the scenes, Odessa is both a library and a repository that contains
metadata about datasets. This metadata specifies the structure of the
data and a declarative syntax for describing how keys are defined.
The structure essentially defines a graph that describes a compositional
relationship between keys.
This means that even when the relationship between two tables involves
a composite key or a transformation on a key, Odessa can infer the
common structure between two keys and join the sets together.
In most situations it is only necessary to tell Odessa that you want
to join two
data.frames together, and Odessa will take care
of the rest.
Explore the existing datasets and the metadata at the Odessa repository. To learn how Odessa can ease your data interoperability challenges, contact us at email@example.com.
As part of our research and development, Zato Novo produces numerous tools to aid our research. Some of these end up in formal research and publications, while others become open source libraries and tools.


text:
A method of dyeing yarns is provided wherein a single yarn or a web of parallel yarns is passed through a falling stream of liquid dyestuff which is substantially at boiling temperature when it contacts the yarn. The falling stream may be interrupted intermittently or may be traversed to and fro of the yarn to dye the yarn intermittently. Apparatus for conducting the method is described.
1. Apparatus for dyeing a plurality of yarns comprising:
a battery of yarn holders;
a plurality of pliable tubes for guiding passage of said yarns from said battery to outlet ends of said tubes, said outlet ends of said tubes forming a planar array;
means for drawing a plurality of yarns from said battery through each of said tubes and longitudinally through the remainder of said apparatus at a desired rate of movement, said plurality of yarns forming a web of yarns lying side by side at said outlet ends of said tubes and extending through a portion of the remainder of said apparatus;
at least one nozzle reciprocating transversely of the web of yarns for intermittently applying liquid dye to the longitudinally moving web of yarns at or near the boiling temperature of the liquid dye;
means for feeding liquid dye to said nozzle at a temperature at or near the boiling point of the dye; and
means for receiving the washed web directly from said nozzle after application of the liquid dye without additional heating of the yarns and for storing of the individual yarns forming the web.
2. Apparatus for dyeing a yarn comprising:
at least one yarn holder;
drive means for drawing a yarn from said yarn holder and for passing said yarn through the remainder of the apparatus;
means for guiding the individual yarn drawn from the holder by said drive means;
at least one dye applicator for intermittently applying liquid dye to the yarn at a temperature at or near the boiling point of the dye;
dye heating means for heating the dye to a temperature at or near its boiling point before supplying the dye to the applicator; and
pickup means able to receive and store the washed yarn.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said applicator comprises:
a reciprocating nozzle;
means for feeding boiling dyestuff to the nozzle; and
means for returning unused surplus dyestuff to the nozzle following reheating of the surplus dyestuff to its boiling point.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 further comprising:
a heated tank adapted to hold a pool of boiling dyestuff; and
means for directing the yarn into and out of said pool after the yarn emerges from said applicator.
5. Apparatus for dyeing a plurality of yarns comprising:
a battery of yarn holders;
drive means for drawing a plurlity of yarns from said battery and for passing the plurality of yarns through the remainder of the apparatus;
guide means for bringing the individual yarns from the battery together to form a web of yarns lying side by side;
at least one dye applicator for intermittently applying liquid dye to the web at a temperature at or near the boiling point of the dye;
dye heating means for heating the dye to a temperature at or near its boiling point before applying it to the applicator; and
pickup means able to receive and store the individual yarns from the washed web.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said guide means comprise a plurality of pliable tubes through which respective yarns extend and which have their outlet ends disposed in a planar array.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said applicator comprises:
a reciprocating nozzle;
means for feeding boiling dyestuff of the nozzle; and
means for returning unused surplus dyestuff to the nozzle following reheating of the surplus dyestuff to its boiling point.
8. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 further comprising:
a heated tank adapted to hold a pool of boiling dyestuff; and
means for directing the yarn into and out of said pool after it emerges from said applicator.
This invention relates to the dyeing of yarns and more particularly, but not exclusively, to the dyeing of yarns of synthetic fibres such as nylon, wool and the various polyester fibres.
The traditional way of dyeing yarns has been to steep hanks of the yarn in vats of dyestuff to impregnate the yarn with the dyestuff and then remove the hanks from the vat and allow them to drain and dry.
However, yarns dyed by that traditional method usually exhibit undesirable variations in colour due to differing degress of take-up of the dyestuff by the yarn in different parts of the hank. This effect is particularly marked when using modern synthetic materials of the kind mentioned above.
Thus, it has now become customary to spray or print the dyestuff on to a moving strand, a web of parallel strands or a knitted or woven sheet of the yarn (which sheet may subsequently be unravelled) to ensure an even application of the dyestuff to the yarn.
Hitherto, it has been thought necessary for such printing or spraying to be carried out utilising liquid dyestuffs at room temperature, following which, the yarn is steam or otherwise heated to set the dye. Thus, to obtain even colouration, a relatively complex two step process is currently used involving relatively complex apparatus including a steam-heating chamber, oven or the like.
An object of the present invention is to simplify the abovementioned presently used process.
According to the invention, the yarn, either as a single yarn or as a web of substantially parallel yarns, is passed through a falling stream, which term includes a spray, shower or sheet, of liquid dyestuff as before, but the dyestuff is brought to the boil immediately prior to its application to the strand so that it is substantially at boiling temperature when it contacts the yarn. It has been found that this eliminates the need for a subsequent heat treatment for setting the dye.
By way of example, a form of the invention is described more fully hereinafter as applied to the production of randomly coloured or variegated yarn.
In the prior production of randomly coloured yarn a well known technique has been to knit a tubular sock of yarn, pad the sock, that is to say pass it through a pair of resilient rolls extending horizontally with a pool of liquid dye stuff in the nip of the rolls, then pass the sock through a printing machine while it is held extended during which process stripes of different coloured dye are applied to the sock, setting the dye by steaming or otherwise heating the printed sock and finally unravelling the sock to produce a multi-coloured yarn.
However, according to the invention the process is simplified by the elimination of the initial step of preparing a sock, printing that sock, heating the sock to set the dye and unravelling the sock.
The form of the invention now being described includes apparatus for the production of variegated yarns comprising a battery of yarn holders, drive means to draw a plurality of yarns from said battery and to pass them through the remainder of the apparatus, guide means to bring the individual yarns from the battery together to form a web of yarns lying side by side, at least one dye applicator to intermittently apply liquid dye to the web, dye heating means to heat the dye before supplying it to the applicator, said heating means and applicator being such that the dye is applied to the web at or near boiling point and pick-up means able to receive and store the individual yarns from the washed web.
By way of example, a presently preferred embodiment of the above-described form of the invention is described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a dyeing mechanism.
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the dye application station of the mechanism of FIG. 1.
In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the battery of yarn holders comprise a frame 3 having a plurality of rows of projecting cantilever axles 4 each able to accept a conventional "cone" 5 of untreated yarn from each of which a yarn 6 may be drawn.
The drive means to draw the yarns 6 from the battery and pass that through the remainder of the apparatus comprise several sets of power-driven drive rolls positioned at strategic places within the apparatus, as described in more detail below.
The first pair 7 of such rolls is positioned immediately downstream--with reference to the direction of yarn travel through the apparatus--of guide means 8 so that the first pair 7 of drive rolls grips and moves the newly formed web of yarn 6 as it leaves the guide means 8. It and the subsequently met pairs of drive rolls ensure that the yarns 6 comprising the web remain together as a web until they are deliberately separated by conventional pick-up means 10 at the downstream end of the apparatus.
The guide means 8 of the example of the invention now being described comprises a plurality of pliable tubes 11 through each of which is threaded a plurality, for example four to six yarns 6 from a closely located group of cones 5 in the battery. The tubes 11 converge and terminate with their outlet ends 12 disposed side by side in a planar conformation so that the yarns 6 issuing from the respective tubes do so as a web of closely spaced yarns.
That web extends from the first pair 7 of drive rolls more or less horizontally and without other support across the mouth of an open-topped tank 13 into the nip of a second pair 14 of drive rolls. All of the drive rolls are preferably driven by a motor 14 combined with an infinitely variable drive transmission device 15 such that the driving speeds of the drive rolls can be carefully set. The first pair of rolls 7 are driven by a drive transmission belt 16 and the first and second set of drive rolls are chain connected together by endless chain 17 so that the web travelling from one to the other is under very little tension.
In use, at least one dye applicator of four applications in this embodiment applies dye intermittently to the web as it travels from the first to the second set of drive rolls.
The web of yarns 6 may be concentrated under the applicators if desired by means, for example, of perforate guides 18 and wire loop guides 19. The, or each such applicator, may comprise one or a bank of downwardly directed nozzles 20 reciprocating to and fro above the web from one side to the other. Such nozzles may, for example, be caused to reciprocate by a conventional power-driven eccentric or crank 21 connected by a connecting rod 22 to a saddle 23 carrying the nozzles 20 mounted for to and fro sliding motion on an appropriate guide 24 extending transversely of the web.
The nozzles 20 may be connected by relatively short pliable tubes 25 to vats 26 fed from the output of a dye pump fed directly from a steam-heated tank of dye-stuff so that the dye emerging from the nozzle 20 is very close to the temperature of the boiling dye in the tank. As the nozzles travel to and fro they apply strips of colour to the web, such strips being spaced apart in the direction of web travel. The surplus dye-stuff is caught in the tank below the web or in a return gutter 27 for return to the heated vats.
If desired, more than one colour may be applied at this time by utilising more than one applicator each with its own dye supply and removal system.
In addition, if desired, the web leaving the second set of drive rolls 14 may be directed by stationary guide elements 28 into and thence out of a pool of dye-stuff 29 in a heated bath so as to apply a body colour to that part of the yarn left undyed by the applicator or applicators. The dyed web may then be caused in a similar manner to enter and thence leave a dye washing bath and upon emerging from that bath may pass through the nip of a pair of squeegee rolls which to some extent spread the dye, dry the yarn in the web and also function as a third set of drive rolls.
Alternatively, as shown, the dyed yarn may leave the pool 29 by way of squeegee rolls 30 and pass into an electric dryer 31 and then to a conventional take up device 10 wherein the yarns are separated by their passage through guiding eyes 32 and are taken up by a conventional reeling device onto a plurality of reels 33.
According to another embodiment (not illustrated in the drawings) intermittent application of the dye to the web is achieved by provision of a valve, upstream from nozzle 20 which is repetitively opened and closed, thereby interrupting the falling stream of liquid dyestuff to achieve varigated dyeing of the yarns.
For preference, in the latter embodiment the valve is an automatically controlled valve, for example a solenoid valve and is electrically controlled by a circuit to repetitively open and close for predetermined durations. More than one applicator each with its own dye supply and solenoid valve may be used. In that event the arrangement of nozzles and the synchronization of solenoid valve operation may be such as to enable multicoloured dyeing. The use of valve means has the advantage that the intermittent application of the dye can be achieved without need to reciprocate the nozzles.
Patent Citations
Referenced by
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