Introductions and Invitations

As this is my first post in what I am hoping will turn out to be an oft-used blog, I figured I should introduce myself and explain what the blog will probably encompass. Think of this being the first day of class--I'm handing out a syllabus, but it is only halfway completed, so expect diversions throughout the semester. (Don't you just love that?)

My name is Kelly. I love books and libraries, cats and cuddling them, and studying history. I live in a semi-sleepy, magical place where our seasons consist of snow, mud, and humidity, with a brief period in the fall where we have roughly three weeks of the perfect weather. I am a college student (history, minors in political science and women's studies), graduating this spring, and anticipating entering a library science, history, or library science/history masters program next fall. My main areas of research are feminist theory, the role of women during wartime, peace and resistance movements, propaganda, and the effect on children growing up/participating in World War II. There are a few others, but these are my broad areas of interest at present. I am also interested in the collection and maintenance of information and knowledge, dissemination of knowledge, and social justice aspects of librarianship.

I decided to start this blog for several purposes. First, to document the large volume of books that I am perpetually reading. (Seriously--think 400 pages a night PLUS whatever I have to read for classes.) My peers look at me in horror, wondering how I manage to stay sane whilst remaining figuratively glued to the inside of books. Well that's my secret: reading that much IS my cure for insanity. Reading, relaxing in the library, researching, and pampering my cats are my main sources of stress relief. 

Second, I wanted to create a place where I could post reviews and discussions could ensue, whether via comments or personal messages. When I review books, I attempt to do so in a way which could spark discussion or further thought, in addition to providing my personal views on the literature (the style, content, and in some cases, its effect on my own psyche). 

Finally, this will also serve as a hodgepodge of personal entries, such as my journey to graduate school, new information on my disciplines, and probably some cat pictures. The bulk of my actual personal life will be either kept on a paper journal, or contained in a separate blog. 

I have a backlog of literature to review, so please bear with me as I get this up and running. As always, if you have any questions about this blog, my posts, or about my personal self, please comment or send me a message. I will happily respond--unless you're rude, in which case I will dispatch the monsters who live in the library's basement to sort you out. 

Until then,

K