This Just In: Bookworms Cuter Than Jocks!

One loyal Librarian Beat reporter recently had the chance to sit down with Jayne Williams, author of Slow Fat Triathlete and Shape Up with the Slow Fat Triathlete. After biking 40 miles into a headwind, we got down to business and asked Jayne the burning question on Librarian Beat readers' minds: which field has the cutest boys - publishing or sports?

Jayne says, "Oooh, excellent question. I have to say that triathlon has the athletic builds, but my heart beats faster for nerds with cool glasses."

There you have it: Nerds are irresistible. As if you didn't know that already.

CONTEST

Today is Monday!

Comment with your most amusing patron stories from the week! The author of my favorite gets a prize which may or may not come from a bag of things I found while cleaning out the furnace room (library storage areas have the COOLEST STUFF hiding in them...)

-Sarahjeanne
Editor In Chief

Reader Poll!

POLL:

Who would you rather marry, Almanzo Wilder or Gilbert Blythe? Discuss in the comments!

Kate Beaton Interview!

In our never ending quest for fame and fortune, LibrarianBeat has started harassing other actually famous people. Here's our interview with internet sensation Kate Beaton! (http://www.katebeaton.com)

LB: Kate Beaton you are an internet sensation. How exactly did that happen, and how would you modify the steps you took to becoming an internet sensation if you were a fake magazine for librarians?

KB: It happened by chance, actually. I worked at the same museum as Emily Horne from A Softer World, and after launching a website, she put a link up there. A Softer World is a pretty popular comic, so that made a big difference as far as having a lot of people see your work right away goes. After that, I guess because people liked it, I got more and more referrals and basically it spread through word of mouth. I have no advice as to how one does this at all.

LB: Do you ever read YA books even though you are no longer a Young Adult? Who is the cutest Young Adult author?

KB: Hasn't everyone read Harry Potter? It is an absolute delight. Also I am happy to have read Coraline before word escaped that it was to be made into a super hip movie. And cutest YA author hmmm I don't know... I believe I read a lot of R.L. Stein Fear Street as an early teen, but there is hardly anything cute about that.

LB: When I describe your comics to people, I say that you make exactly the jokes I'd make if I thought to make them. How are you so funny?

KB: I think it is just a matter of being in really tune with your personal sense of humour. Everyone has one. If you write humour in a general sense, or for other people, or copy someone else's style, it may not work out as well as writing something that you yourself find funny.

LB: What is most awesome about librarians, do you think?

KB: The fact that some of my good friends are librarians now that we are all settling in to the job world! They will make good ones, I think. I was a librarian once, or at least technically, an archivist assistant for a museum library and archives. You get to work around books all day, what could be better?

LB: Does being famous on the internet help you to meet cute nerdy boys?

KB: It brings them around now and then. To be honest doing this work has led me to meet many of the most talented and nicest people I have known, and that is a great plus.

LB: Based on the comics and other projects that you two do, I think you, Lucy Knisley, and myself should be best friends. How can an average person become friends with an internet or regular celebrity? With James Kennedy, we just had to buy him lunch. Are you all so easy?

KB: I met Lucy in Chicago once! She is a wonderful lady. It isn't hard to become friends with any internet personality, but just like anyone else you'd probably have to meet them a couple times first.

LB: Do you have a cat? If not, do you WISH you did?

KB: I don't have a cat but my roommates have a cat named Wednesday and she is perhaps the best cat there is, except maybe sometimes she could be more affectionate. But she sure is cute.

LB: Will you doodle us a sassy librarian?

KB: Gimme a minute

LB: Anything else our loyal readers should know about you?

KB: I'm a sucker for Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby is the funniest book.

Upcoming Interviews!

Famous authors are pounding down the door to get into Librarian Beat! Well, practically. More like giving in to our pleading, but whatever. We’ve got two fabulous ladies lined up for upcoming interviews, so post your burning questions in the comments!

First, we’ve got Jayne Williams, author of Slow Fat Triathlete and Shape Up with the Slow Fat Triathlete. We’ll be joining her for a Spring Training weekend and getting the inside scoop on what makes this author and athlete tick! In the meantime, check out this Unshelved comic strip that features her first book: http://www.unshelved.com/archive.aspx?strip=20070923.

Second, we’ve got Jen Lancaster, author of the hilarious memoirs Bitter Is the New Black, Bright Lights, Big Ass, and Such a Pretty Fat. Her new book, Pretty in Plaid, will be released in May. If you just can’t wait until our interview is posted, check out her entertaining blog at http://www.jennsylvania.com/.

Ask Marian

Got questions? Email our resident advice columnist at askmarian@gmail.com!

Dear Marian,

I recently scored my first job as a librarian. I love it, but I can’t believe how my co-workers dress! Dowdy shoes, no make-up, and holiday sweaters! These people wear buns without irony. I really think they are hurting the image of librarians. I dress well but I’m just outnumbered! How can I suggest that they update their looks without being mean?

Signed,
So Trendy, but You Look So Hideous


Dear STYLiSH,
True story – I showed up for my first day of work at the library wearing black leather pointy-toed stiletto boots with a 3 inch heel. I looked hot. I looked stylish. By the end of the day I looked like someone had broken my toes with the way I was hobbling around. As we were closing up, another librarian looked at me and said, “First day, huh? You’ll learn.”

The point is, STYLiSH, that there is something to be said for functionality. We’re on the go all day, so we do have to be comfortable. That being said, nothing makes me shudder like a festive holiday sweater. That’s not function; that’s just ugly.

The thing you have to understand, though, is that your sweater-wearing co-workers are still making an effort. Chances are high that when old Sally looked in the mirror this morning while putting on her coordinating shamrock earrings that picked up the green sparkles from her St. Patrick’s day vest just so, she took a step back to say to herself, “Daaaaang, girl, you look hot.”

You’ve got different styles, and that’s ok. If your co-workers show any interest in updating their looks, by all means bust out the fashion magazines and go to town. But if you bring up the fact that you think they could use a makeover, well, be prepared to stop being thought of as the fashionable one and start being thought of as the insensitive little snot.