Living Outside the Stacks http://livingoutsidethestacks.com Navigating through life away from the library Fri, 26 Aug 2016 20:38:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6 http://livingoutsidethestacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cropped-LOTS-Icon-32x32.png Living Outside the Stacks http://livingoutsidethestacks.com 32 32 LivingOutsideTheStackshttps://feedburner.google.com Coffee Talk: Crime and Consequences http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LivingOutsideTheStacks/~3/4bLvK-OKR2E/ http://livingoutsidethestacks.com/coffee-talk-crime-and-consequences/#respond Fri, 26 Aug 2016 16:11:32 +0000 http://livingoutsidethestacks.com/?p=23664

Coffee Talk {living outside the stacks}

I’d like to welcome you to Coffee Talk. If you’re new here, this is where I share some of the great and not~so~great stuff that I find on the web. Topics range from news stories that leave me scratchin’ my head to DIYs that I think are absolutely clever. And, who knows, there may even be a recipe thrown in here or there just for fun.

So grab a cup of coffee {or tea or whatever floats your boat} and let’s talk…

Rumors are flying that the top brass at Today are peeved because of Al Roker’s take down of Ryan Lochte. Um, what? He spoke the truth. Billy Bush was glossing over the fact that Lochte and his friends committed a crime and then lied to cover up and Roker set the record straight. It was perfect. If I could’ve high fived Al through the TV I would have. I mean, seriously, why are folks covering for Lochte?

And speaking of covering for criminals, did you hear about the judge who opted to give a rapist probation rather than jail time so that he could “enjoy the college experience“? Seriously. The guy’s nickname in high school was “David the Rapist”… he admitted that he raped these young ladies… and still… The list of people that these idiotic judges could care less about is growing weekly.

I’m so ready for Autumn. It is, hands down, my favorite season. Ever. I love being able to wrap up in my cozy sweaters, leggings, and boots. The only thing I’ll really miss about Summer is the incredible light. If we could get the sunlight with the chilly weather, oh man, I’d be so happy.

With the cooler weather {at least in my head} comes the start of a new school year and with that comes all the weirdness that happens on college campuses. This year, one university is heading off the nonsense with a letter telling its students that there are no “safe spaces” or “trigger warnings” on its campus. It’s about time. As some of you know, I teach American history. American history is nasty, hurtful, awe inspiring, and a little bit of everything else in between. It’s impossible to teach history {or any lesson, for that matter} without offending someone. I’m also a librarian. I’m all for free speech and access to information that challenges/solidifies one’s beliefs. And, last but not least, I served in the U.S. Army, my job was to defend the rights of everyone to say what they want to say and have their opinions challenged. Going to college is about growing and learning, that can’t be done if people aren’t willing to be challenged.

Now it’s your turn, what has you scratching your head?

Sipping my coffee while you talk,

Daenel T {Living Outside the Stacks}

 

 

 

 

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Geek is Chic http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LivingOutsideTheStacks/~3/iyYT6aFMHaA/ http://livingoutsidethestacks.com/geek-is-chic/#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2016 11:53:37 +0000 http://livingoutsidethestacks.com/?p=23601

Geek is Chic Tee Shirt {living outside the stacks}

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In my “real life” I’m a librarian. And like many librarians {at least the ones in my circle}, I’m slightly obsessed with kitschy bookish wear. In fact, I’ve made it my goal to collect as many book related tees as possible. So I thought I’d share a few tees that’ll be making their way into my closet in the near future.

To purchase your tee, click the picture.

Alice in Wonderland T~Shirt

Alice in Wonderland Tee Shirt {living outside the stacks} affiliate link

Why stay classy when you can stay weird?

The Great Gatsby T~Shirt

The Great Gatsby Tee Shirt {living outside the stacks} affiliate link

I so would’ve been a flapper. Or a gangster’s girlfriend.

Nancy Drew T~Shirt 

Nancy Drew Tee Shirt {living outside the stacks} affiliate link

I’ve been a Nancy Drew fan since I was a kid. In fact, I want to start collecting the old books so I can re~read them.

The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz Tee Shirt {living outside the stacks} affiliate link

Shoes, y’all. It’s all about the shoes.

Wuthering Heights T~Shirt

Wuthering Heights Tee Shirt {living outside the stacks} affiliate link

My first literary crush was Heathcliff. I’m fairly certain he’s the reason I still like tall, dark, and brooding handsome.

And don’t think you can only pair your tee with jeans or sweats, check out my Pinterest board for oh~so~chic ways to wear your favorite graphic tee. You can also check out the different ways that I’ve worn graphic tees by clicking here and here.

While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my recently reviewed books!

Do you have a literary crush? Are you in to graphic tees? How would you style yours? Don’t be shy, leave a comment below.

Happy shopping,

 

Daenel T {Living Outside the Stacks}
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Book Review: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LivingOutsideTheStacks/~3/44q2avf4IKM/ http://livingoutsidethestacks.com/book-review-the-underground-railroad-by-colson-whitehead/#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2016 12:49:50 +0000 http://livingoutsidethestacks.com/?p=23584

Book Review The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead {living outside the stacks}

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TitleThe Underground Railroad

Author: Colson Whitehead

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Doubleday

Release Date: 2016

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 306

ABOUT THE BOOK {from the flap}

Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. Life is hell for all the slaves, but especially bad for Cora; an outcast even among her fellow Africans, she is coming into womanhood ~ where even greater pain awaits. When Caesar, a recent arrival from Virginia, tells her about the Underground Railroad, they decide to take a terrifying risk and escape. Matters do not go as planned ~ Cora kills a a white boy who tries to capture her. Though they manage to find a station and head north, they are being hunted.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Colson Whitehead is the New York Times bestselling author of The Noble Hustle, Zone One, Sag Harbor, The Intuitionist, John Henry Days, Apex Hides the Hurt, and one collection of essays, The Colossus of New York. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and a recipient of MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships, he lives in New York City.

You can find out more about Colson Whitehead by visiting his website. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Book Review The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead {living outside the stacks}

MY OPINION

This is not a book that you like or dislike. This is a book that you read, put down, and think about for days on end. The subject is sensitive and the topics are still relevant today: violence against women/men, racism and the way it impacts all people, silence/{in}action in the face of injustice, education, and the idea of freedom.

The characters were well written, sympathetic {when they needed to be} and monstrous {when expected}. I found myself invested in the characters. I didn’t want to know just about the black characters, but the white characters as well. And Whitehead delivered. I liked the way he gave the characters a history and wrapped up each character’s story without it being contrived or forced.

I know some folks are bothered by the fact that Whitehead uses a literal underground railroad as the transportation system for escaped slaves versus a metaphorical one. I don’t have a problem with this. This is a novel, not a history book, so I expect the author to use a bit of literary license. In fact, I would say that the idea of an actual underground railroad enhances the feelings of fear and anxiety about the known and unknown worlds that {escaped} slaves inhabited.

This book does contain some violence, some of it is graphic {and sexual in nature}, but given the topic, that is to be expected. To show how engrossed I was in the story, I don’t recall there being any harsh or coarse language, so if there was any it was used to propel the story and not just as a filler.

I would recommend this book for discussion groups and literature classes. There is so much to unpack in this story that I’m afraid my review can’t do it justice, but if you do read it, I’d love to discuss it with you.

RATING
★★★★★

Purchasing Options

What’re you reading?

Daenel T {Living Outside the Stacks}

 

 

 

 

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