Hi everyone! You may have noticed that we’ve slowed down a bit on posting, approving comments, and, well, pretty much our whole end of the deal. We’d like to say we’re just too busy and important, but…we’re not. Behind the scenes, we’ve been actively downsizing and “sunsetting” this little dog and pony show we call Awful Library Books. We started this blog in 2009, and after 14 years we’ve realized that we did it! We’ve saved all the library collections and our work is done. Ok, that’s a stretch. But seriously – the joke has been made and our point about ongoing and continuous collection mana ..read more

Green Cars: Earth-friendly Electric Vehicles Coughlan 1994 This was a cool book back in 1994! There’s a lot of old information in it, though, like how long it takes to charge the battery in an electric vehicle, the mileage range the battery has, and emissions laws. One thing still possible is that “in the future, charging stations like this one might be commonplace” (p.14, shown below). Someday, sure. They’re definitely more commonplace now than in 1994, but it’s still a challenge for EV drivers in some areas to find them. Apps like PlugShare, ChargeMap, and EVGo were definitely not a thing i ..read more

Hi everyone! You may have noticed that we’ve slowed down a bit on posting, approving comments, and, well, pretty much our whole end of the deal. We’d like to say we’re just too busy and important, but…we’re not. Behind the scenes, we’ve been actively downsizing and “sunsetting” this little dog and pony show we call Awful Library Books. We started this blog in 2009, and after 14 years we’ve realized that we did it! We’ve saved all the library collections and our work is done. Ok, that’s a stretch. But seriously – the joke has been made and our point about ongoing and continuous collection mana ..read more

Green Cars: Earth-friendly Electric Vehicles Coughlan 1994 This was a cool book back in 1994! There’s a lot of old information in it, though, like how long it takes to charge the battery in an electric vehicle, the mileage range the battery has, and emissions laws. One thing still possible is that “in the future, charging stations like this one might be commonplace” (p.14, shown below). Someday, sure. They’re definitely more commonplace now than in 1994, but it’s still a challenge for EV drivers in some areas to find them. Apps like PlugShare, ChargeMap, and EVGo were definitely not a thing i ..read more

Microwave Cooking For One Smith 1985 Submitter: What first got my attention while perusing the shelves was the taped together cover. Then I saw the date – 1985. Seems pretty old for a microwave cookbook. Some of the recipes seem doable, but I question the wattage and size of modern microwaves to be able to make most of the recipes in this book. Note the many seafood options that your coworkers would love to smell if you whipped up one in the staff office. Holly: Oh good, it’s also spiral bound, the kiss of death for library materials. The post Microwave Cooking for One first appeared on Awfu ..read more

Cloth Dolls Judd 1990 I know libraries have lots of books and price guides on a variety of hobbies. I really have a hard time with weeding these things. Usually they circulate quite a bit, but they hang around forever. I am assuming that these older books are used for identifying collectibles rather than getting a valuation. Anyone have any insight into maintaining and weeding books on collectibles? Regardless, I am curious how collectors store these dolls so they don’t stare at you in an evil way. Mary The post Dolls for Collectors first appeared on Awful Library Books. The post Dolls for C ..read more

The Biological Clock Reconciling Careers and Motherhood in the 1980s McKaughan 1987 Well this is a book that would have caught my eye back in the day. As a person who waffled about having kids, this book would have been like a match to gasoline in my stress filled late 20s. Back then mothers over the age of 30 were pretty much considered “high risk” or too old. At least in my mind, I had to have a baby before I turned 30. (I made it by 2 months.) This was a regular discussion topic among my age group. This also led to the discussion that child care was just this side of evil or damaging to yo ..read more

Better By Microwave Longbotham and Simmons 1990 Submitter: I am submitting this 1990 microwave cook book I found on the shelf of my local public library. I love when I find traces of attempted dishes on the pages of the cookbooks. I wonder if Clams with Black Bean Sauces in the microwave worked out? Holly: Oh good, clams in the microwave: portable and quick for a lunch room snack at work. Some of the other recipes don’t sound too bad, although I would probably not make most of them in a microwave. The post Better By Microwave first appeared on Awful Library Books. The post Better By Microwav ..read more

Plastic surgery What You Need to Know- Before, During and After Marfuggi 1998 Last time I was at the dermatologists office, I saw so many before and after examples of fillers or other treatments. Most of these treatments, I had never heard of. Sadly, I couldn’t really tell the difference. Part of me thinks this is reasonable. Surgery should enhance, not completely change how someone looks. On the other hand, if I am going to drop some serious cash, I would want it to be worth it. This one is still floating around the shelves in a small library. Clearly this one is way out of date. For the tim ..read more

At Daddy’s on Saturdays Girard 1987 Submitter: Truly awful book, weeded out of the [Public Library] collection and finally just weeded out of our used-book sale. The dated illustrations would be enough, but the sexist text just adds spice. Holly: I’ve seen worse (exhibits A and B), but this is definitely dated. Kids whose parents divorced in 1987 are 35 years old and potentially looking for books to read to their kids about divorce. The post Daddy’s on Saturdays appeared first on Awful Library Books ..read more