In On The Ropes Duffy has a minor obsession with librarian Debra Speakwell.
Her shoulder length red hair, her constant need to moisturize her page-worn fingers and that confident mastery of the Dewey Decimal system...
Man, talk about hot.
I love librarians.
I love the glasses they wear and the way their eyes search behind them finding exactly what you want, what you're looking for. Those eyes, those glasses looking out and gathering what you need.
Her shoulder length red hair, her constant need to moisturize her page-worn fingers and that confident mastery of the Dewey Decimal system...
Man, talk about hot.
I love librarians.
I love the glasses they wear and the way their eyes search behind them finding exactly what you want, what you're looking for. Those eyes, those glasses looking out and gathering what you need.
Oh my...
It's not just the glasses or the hair tied neatly in a bun --man, that smoldering look, that control, that, that, that....that way they hold a single finger to their pursed lips and exhale "Shhhh..."
I think it's their total sense of control that gets to me. Their books, on their shelves in that special order that only they really understand.
They have the information you want. They know how to get it and if you ask in the right way--they'll help you.
But it's the way they lend a hand. Quietly, never rushed--librarians take their time, they do it right, they do it thoroughly and when they're done, well, perhaps a half smile, a nod and that knowing look letting you understand that they are the only ones for this kind of work.
I spent last weekend at the New York Library Association Convention and in two weeks I'm hosting a panel at Murder and Mayhem in Muskego--a library sponsored event.
I also found out this morning that some library way out in Portland, Oregon just ordered six copies of On The Ropes.
It's not just the glasses.
It's not just the glasses or the hair tied neatly in a bun --man, that smoldering look, that control, that, that, that....that way they hold a single finger to their pursed lips and exhale "Shhhh..."
I think it's their total sense of control that gets to me. Their books, on their shelves in that special order that only they really understand.
They have the information you want. They know how to get it and if you ask in the right way--they'll help you.
But it's the way they lend a hand. Quietly, never rushed--librarians take their time, they do it right, they do it thoroughly and when they're done, well, perhaps a half smile, a nod and that knowing look letting you understand that they are the only ones for this kind of work.
I spent last weekend at the New York Library Association Convention and in two weeks I'm hosting a panel at Murder and Mayhem in Muskego--a library sponsored event.
I also found out this morning that some library way out in Portland, Oregon just ordered six copies of On The Ropes.
It's not just the glasses.
8 comments:
I can't help it...
When I first moved to the town I'm in 11 years ago, I popped into the local library. The librarian was a tall 20-something in black leather pants and a tight white t-shirt and I thought, "You want to get men into the library, here's how."
Gentlemen, what can I say? Except that--though I love libraries--I have never thought of them in this way.
Perhaps (if your hearts can take it) we should all sing a round of "Marian the Librarian" from Music Man. Here's a You Tube version for practice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEUXizoJvb4&mode=related&search
I've been obsessed with librarians ever since watching The Music Man as a kid.
One of the many reasons why ON THE ROPES rocks.
I have sent this posting to all my librarian friends.
Tom, you never cease to entertain me.
I went and spoke to a book group last night and one of the attendees was waving her library copy of Dot Dead under my nose. I didn't get any extra royalties for that one! Thanks, Tom, for reminding me about the good things about libraries.
Okay, we have to think of a bumper sticker for librarians:
Librarians do it Dewey all over
Librarians do it with bigger stacks
I could go on, except that...um...my mom is a retired librarian and I'm afraid she'll think I'm being "vulgar," her favorite criticism, lol.
I'm sitting in the college library across the street from my house working on the 3rd Duffy book.
I've spent the last 2 1/2 hours searching for the librarian pictured at the top of the blog.
She's not here.
I could've used her help accessing some of the rarer archives.
Your welcome, Gin. Not only does it tell you how many libraries carry you book, but you can check on any other author as well.
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