Different Like Me
A Book for Teens Who Worry About Their Parents’ Use of Alcohol/Drugs
1987
This cover is like a bad homage to the Brady Bunch. I am not sure I get it. Is the “Alice” position supposed to represent something? The cartoon kid is just creepy looking.
Important topic, certainly public libraries can do better than this. Time to weed this one.
Mary
→ 5 CommentsCategories: weeding
Computer Tech Talk
Radlauer
1984
Don’t you love the the “special effects” cover? The future is here, baby! Youngsters, please notice the exciting floppy drives to the right of the screen. In the olden days, that’s how you started the computer.
Check out the cool computer terms and “micro” sized computer.
Mary
→ 13 CommentsCategories: weeding
To Smoke or Not to Smoke
Terry
1973
Isn’t this a pretty book for the kids? If I am not mistaken, that is a bit of mold on the cover, so I think we can go with a weed on condition alone. Smoking materials are almost humorous from the old days since they do not seem to emphasize the health effects in quite the same fervor a more modern selection would… Weed away (the book). ALB does not endorse smoking of any substance, however ALB does enjoy a nice cocktail every now and then especially after a long day on the reference desk!
Mary
→ 8 CommentsCategories: weeding
Makeovers
A Unique New Method for Changing Your Image
Schrader
1979
This book is obviously old. I am not sure how much is appropriate for today. Since I am hardly a “Glamour ‘DO’” and more in the “Glamour ‘Don’t'” category I will leave it to you! This book has practice faces and plastic to “practice” your technique. Just a tad weird in my opinion.
How about the cylon-robot hybrid woman on the cover? Perhaps a castoff from the Robert Palmer video?
Mary
→ 6 CommentsCategories: weeding
Your First Car
Fremon
1981
“Hey, Suzie, great sweater!”
“Thanks, George. Groovy car!”
“She’s all mine! Paid for her with my checks from the roller skating rink.”
“Totally tubular!”
Lame. Weed it, please.
Holly
→ 5 CommentsCategories: weeding
Elvis People: The Cult of the King
Harrison
1992
Thank you, thank you, anonymous, for this submission. I know, I know, there are a bajillion Elvis fans out there, and they are all banging down the library doors to get at this book. Look at the cover, though! The cover artist has elevated Elvis to god-like status: halo, wings, and all! Creepy.
It’s all about how Elvis fans are so intense – so fanatical about Elvis that it’s like a religion. People collect relics – things he touched, things he wore, etc. People visit his home (Graceland) like a shrine. They treat his music like scripture. Worshipping Elvis, the book implies, is akin to worshipping any other deity.
The same could be said for Michael Jackson. I see a series in the author’s future!
Holly
→ 19 CommentsCategories: weeding
Dating for Under a Dollar
Tolman
1995
Thanks to a submitter for this wonderful book. This is probably shelved right next to the “be cool” book posted earlier! Can you imagine how a young lady must feel if this is featured prominently in a some guy’s personal library? The poor couple on the front looks like they spent all the money they have on hair products and valium. Great idea for content, but seriously lacking in execution!
Mary
→ 20 CommentsCategories: weeding
How Maps Are Made
Baynes
1987
Anonymous Submitter: The title is “How Maps Are Made” and it was published in 1987. At first glance, it looks like a juvenile book because it’s so thin and heavily illustrated. However, it’s actually an adult nonfiction book. I don’t know if that makes it better or worse. All I know is that even with a seriously limited knowledge of cartography it is obviously quite dated (see the Flock of Seagulls/Billy Idol cartographer). Of course, it could be saved if someone simply tweaked the title with some tape and a magic marker. “How Maps Were Made” would perhaps preserve some usefulness. Then, if I wanted to know how mapmaking was carried out when I was two years old this book would be relevant.”
Flock of Seagulls/Billy Idol cartographer:
Cartography is cool.
Holly
→ 7 CommentsCategories: weeding
Clotheshanger Projects
James & Shinn
1979
What, you ask, can you make with these glooooorious clothes hangers? According to the book cover, “101 Fun and Useful Things!” Such as? Check these out:
That goofy woman’s face-thing on the far left is calling to me. Or how about one of these:
Thank you, anonymous submitter, for this simply dazzling volume.
Holly
→ 20 CommentsCategories: weeding
A Woman’s Guide to Separation and Divorce
Harwood
1988
Women Law
Hemphill
1981
These were great titles once upon a time! I would say that divorce/separation info as well as other general legal matters is one of the most common reasons to visit a public library. Legal information has certainly changed since these lovely books were published. Not helpful folks! This needs to be weeded!
Mary
→ 3 CommentsCategories: weeding
