Stop! Now Read.....

Back in high school, we had this thing where the school would stop for about 10 minutes or so and everyone in the school would stop whatever they were doing and read.

What a concept, huh?

In your gym class? You stopped running and read.
In math? You put down that calculator and read.
Drivers Ed? Well, I'm not sure how that worked, but you get my meaning....

The entire school came together for a few minutes and read. When I was the student, it meant I got out of schoolwork for a few minutes and I loved it. But as an adult, as someone who wants to go into education, specifically library and media, well....I think about it a little differently. Yes, we spent a little time exposing ourselves to literature. But really, the big picture of it all, was we spent time reading together. Everyone! Students, teachers, administrators...the act of reading, not just the literature itself, unified us.We talk about the power of words and the impact of literature, but when people are able to share those experiences together, not just alone, it creates a sense of importance to an act that we often don't get to experience.

There are some days, when I'm at work, when I just wish that announcement would come over the intercom. Maybe one day, it will again.

Book Review: Beyond All Dreams

Beyond All Dreams

Elizabeth Camden

Bethany House Publishers

Anna O’Brien leads a quiet life as a map librarian at the prestigious Library of Congress. Having lost her father at sea when very young, these maps are a tie to the family that she lost. Luke Callahan is an ambitious politician who is determined to have his voice heard in Washington D.C. His fearlessness has caused him to gain a reputation, and he soon finds himself in need of a librarian to help him with his political climb. When Anna and Luke team up, neither is prepared for what happens next. As tensions mount, relationships are tested,  and a big mystery becomes unveiled as Anne tries to uncover what really happened to her father. In the midst of governmental secrets, can the truth be unveiled?

Elizabeth Camden has wormed her way onto my book-shelf with her past few novels. However, this book wormed its way into a special spot in my heart. As someone who has a Master of Library and Information Science degree, I cannot even begin to say how excited I was that this book was centered around a librarian (not to mention one that was confident and spunky!) and around one of the most famous libraries!

Camden does an excellent job of diversifying her characters. As mentioned before, I have read several other of her novels. Her characters are unique and flawed. Both Anna and Luke are flawed. Both characters develop throughout this story, which makes it all the more compelling to see where their friendship leads.  I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a little romance, history, and mystery all in one book. Or anyone who loves to read a book featuring librarians!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review.