ACRL College & Research Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

Cincinnati’s reading pleasures

By Mary Ellen Rutledge Elsbernd

Director of Libraries Northern Kentucky University

What to read before, during, or after ACRL’s National Conference.

I have always come to life after coming to books.”¹ Put down your favorite library journal and “come to life” by reading some of the books described in the following selective guide to Cincinnati’s reading pleasures. This list is guaranteed to prepare you for the many delights you will experience during the Fifth ACRL National Conference, April 5-8, 1989. Also, no visit to Cincinnati would be complete without browsing through some of its famous and unusual bookstores. A few of the local favorites (in downtown or near vicinity) are described at the end of the reading list to whet your appetite for a bookman’s paradise.

City guides

Boylan, Mike, & Joyce Miller. Diving Out: A Guide to Inexpensive Fun & Food in Cincinnati.Cincinnati: Squish Press, 1984. A boisterous guide to unforgettable eateries, where the ambiance is old and funky and the food ranges from edible to delicious. A special selection is devoted to downtown dives. Believe it or not, the authors have placed quality indicators following each review, i.e., dive quality, food quality, and price.

Durham, Saralou,ed. Cincinnati for Kids. Cincinnati: The University of Cincinnati Alumni Association, 1979. A fun-filled guide for children and grown-ups too!

Kayser, Pat. Cincinnati Without Fears or Tears.Cincinnati: Pat Kayser Books. Inc., 1988. A guide which introduces the reader to a spectrum of things to do (libraries, museums, spectator sports, shopping, dining, music, theatre and dance) how to get there, and services which are at one’s beck and call.

Rosenthal, Lois. Living Retter in Cincinnati.Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest Books, 1987. Another city guide for natives and visitors which tempts the reader to explore all facets of the Queen City.

The WPA Guide to Cincinnati.Cincinnati: The Cincinnati Historical Society, 1987. A reprint of the 1943 American Guide Series, Cincinnati: A Guide to the Queen City and Its Neighbors. With a new introduction and preface, the guide remains an invaluable resource to the city’s background and urban culture.

Fiction

Matthews, Jack. Tales of the Ohio Land.Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Historical Society, 1978. A collection of short stories which have rural and small-town Ohio settings.

Morrison, Toni. Reloved: A Novel.New York: Knopf, 1987. With the novel set in Ohio after the end of the Civil War, Morrison recreates a slave’s life with moving intensity.

Pyle, A.M. Trouble Making Toys.New York: Walker and Co., 1985. The first of the detective Cesar Franck Mysteries whose author says he learned to portray the workings of the Cincinnati police by living in one of the city’s high crime neighborhoods. Readers will appreciate the humorous subtleties incorporated in this series.

Pyle, A.M. Murder Moves In.New York: Walker & Co., 1986. The second Cesar Franck mystery.

Santmyer, Helen Hooven. … And Ladies of the Club.New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1982. A story of two women in a small Ohio town and other members of the local ladies’ literary society.

Valin, Jonathan. Lime Pit.New York: Dodd, Mead, 1980. Hard-boiled private eye Harry Stoner tangles with the Cincinnati underworld. Of the blood and guts genre. First title of the Harry Stoner series.

Valin, Jonathan. Final Notice.New York: Dodd, Mead, 1980. Dead Letter. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1981. Days of Wrath. New York: Congdon & Lattice, 1982. Natural Causes. New York: Congdon & Weed, 1983. Life’s Work. New York: Delacorte, 1986. Fire Lake. New York: De- lacorte, 1987. Other Harry Stonor mysteries.

Fine arts

Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati. Architecture and Construction in Cincinnati: A Guide to the Buildings, Designers and Builders.Cincinnati: The Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati, 1987. From Greek Revival to Post Modern architectural styles, the guide highlights the buildings in the downtown vicinity.

Cincinnati Art Museum. Masterpieces from the Cincinnati Art Museum.Cincinnati: The Cincinnati Art Museum, 1984. A visual guide to the museum’s outstanding works of art. Covers a collecting period from 1881 to 1984.

Cincinnati’s Music Hall.Virginia Beach, Virginia: Jordan & Co., 1978. An introduction to one of the city’s greatest Victorian treasures, which was completed in 1878. Architectural and historical essays are included.

Orlemann, Clinton. Cincinnati: Paintings & Sketches.Cincinnati: Orlemann Enterprises, 1986. A collection of black and white and colorful sketches of the city’s beloved scenes, institutions and historic spots.

Peck, Herbert. The Book of Rookwood Pottery.Tucson, Arizona: Herbert Peck Books, 1986. Founded in 1880 by Maria Longworth Nichols, the Rookwood Pottery produced some of the most outstanding art in the United States for forty years. Contains information on the artist and decorators, and the development of the early pieces. For collectors and antique lovers. (Today the Rookwood Pottery is a restaurant where diners may eat inside the kilns!)

Sikes, Jane E. The Furniture Makers of Cincinnati, 1790 to 1849. Cincinnati: Sikes, 1976. A guide to the skilled craftsmen and their products which are unique in design, material and decoration. For readers interested in American antiques.

History and literature

Caulfield, Joyce V.B., and CarolynE. Banfield, eds. The River Book: Cincinnati and Ohio. Cincinnati: Program for Cincinnati, 1981. For Ole Man River enthusiasts, the book describes the influence the Ohio River has had on Cincinnati, its economics, history, and architecture.

Cincinnati Days in History.Cincinnati: The Cincinnati Post, 1988. Published by a local newspaper, this bicentennial almanac commemorates historical events of import for each day of the year.

Eckert, AllanW. The Frontiersmen: A Narrative. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1967. Eckert recounts the settlement of the wilderness which today is known as West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. A novel, but meticulously based on historical sources.

Feck, Luke.Yester day’s Cincinnati. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest Books, 1987. Special Bicentennial Edition. Written by the former editor of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati’s historical tale is briefly sketched by Feck. Chock full of interesting drawings and photos.

Green, Marilyn, and Michael Bennett. Cincinnati: A Pictorial History.Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company, 1986. With over 300 photographs, the authors provide a looking glass into Cincinnati’s history. A delightful browser.

Harlow,Alvin F. The Serene Cincinnatians. New York: Dutton, 1950. As part of the Society in America Series, Harlow focuses upon local traditions and nationally known personalities who have called Cincinnati home.

Hurley, Daniel. Cincinnati: The Queen City.Cincinnati: The Cincinnati Historical Society, 1982. The gem of Cincinnati’s historical accounts which begins with the taming of the wilderness and ends with a contemporary photographic portfolio. Beautifully illustrated and written, this is a “must” for history aficionados and those who plan to attend the conference.

Miller, Zane L. Boss Cox’s Cincinnati: Urban Politics in the Progressive Era.Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1968. A monograph which describes the transition of the walking city into one with modern urban problems. For readers interested in a blend of history, politics and sociology.

Perry, Dick. Vas You Ever in Zinzinnati?New York: Weathervane Books, 1966. A revealing portrait of the city written by a native who couldn’t possibly be prejudiced.

Silberstein, Iola Hessler. Cincinnati Then And Now.Cincinnati: The League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area, 1982. A straightforward general history which particularly provides insight into the city’s growth from the 1930s to the 1980s.

Sports

Shannon, Mike, ed. The Best of Spitball: The Literary Baseball Magazine. New York: Pocket Books, 1988. First published in 1981 by home- towners, Spitball is the only literary magazine exclusively devoted to baseball. This hot off the press paperback anthology of baseball stories, interviews and verse is a must for those who consider baseball a religion.

Wheeler, Lonnie, and John Baskin. The Cincinnati Game.Wilmington, Ohio: Orange Frazer Press, 1988. In a baseball wild town, you can bet this new book is a “treasury of facts, fables, historic data, battery mates, potentates, heroes, hot dogs, dead dogs, brawls, and pratfalls.”

Bookstores

Acres of Books,633 Main Street (downtown), 721-4214. One of the three major used bookstores in the city, Acres of Books is true to its name with endless rows of hardbacks and paperbacks on all topics. Religion and fiction titles are two of its specialties, and for real bargain hunters, a plethora of used paperbacks are available for purchase!

The Blue Marble,118 N. Ft. Thomas, Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, 781-0602. Only ten minutes from downtown, the quaint Blue Marble is the beloved children’s bookstore of Greater Cincinnatians! Not only does the shop contain a full line of children’s books, music and toys are also available to tug at every child’s heartstrings. Famous authors and illustrators such as Tomie de Pavla, Martha Alexander and Jose Aruego have made appearances at the shop to the delight of all the young at heart.

The Crazy Ladies Bookstore,4112 Hamilton Avenue (north of downtown), 541-4198. In addition to feminist literature, the shop has women’s music, jewelry and cards. About 15 minutes from downtown.

Duttenhofer’s Books, Maps & News, 214 W. McMillan (near the University of Cincinnati), 381- 1340. With a good selection of used and rare books, Duttenhofer’s also has a wonderful selection of current magazines which may be hard to find in other stores. But the piece de resistance is its map store which is two doors away. For vacationers, realtors, campers, hunters, business people or just plain folks in pursuit of a good map, Duttenhofer’s is a full-line map store complete with Rand McNally’s, Michelin’s, topographical maps, marketing maps, world atlases and globes. Hot tip: The Alpha Restaurant (204 W. McMillan) cooks up the best breakfast in town! What can be better than reading your favorite book or newspaper over great coffee and tasty omelets?

New World Bookshop,336 Ludlow Avenue (near the University of Cincinnati), 861-6100. New age books, music and tapes are the specialty of this pleasant store. In fact, it’s the best place in the city to find holistic health, astrology and self- improvement books. General books on Cincinnati, literature and psychology can also be found in good supply. Anyone interested in purchasing crystals may talk to the proprietor. Hot tip: Graeter’s Ice Cream Parlor is only a sneeze away and, some say, makes the city’s premier ice cream.

Ohio Book Store,726 Main Street (downtown), 621-5142. In business since 1905, the Ohio Book Store is a treasure-trove for followers of first-class used and rare bookstores. Throughout the store’s five floors, books on all topics can be found with the main attraction being American history. In honor of the city’s bicentennial, Ohio Book Store turned publisher and reprinted a series of rare Cincinnati books. Jim Fallon, the owner of the store, is one of the most knowledgeable and helpful bookmen in town. No self-respecting ACRL card carrier will forego an opportunity to visit Mr. Fallon and his gem. Hot tip: Have lunch at Arnold’s Bar & Grill on E. 8th Street around the corner from the Main Street bookstores and then indulge!

Phantasy Emporium,117 Calhoun Street (near the University of Cincinnati), 281-0606. Attention, fans of Daredevil, X-Man, Batman and the like! Your thirst for comic and sci-fi books may be quenched in this fantastic emporium. New comics arrive every Friday.

General bookstores in the downtown area:B. Dalton Bookseller, Fifth Third Center, 241- 4451.

Cokesbury Books and Church Supplies, 8376 Vine Street, 821-4100.

Queen City Books, 39 E. 7th Street, 721-2116.

Waldenbooks, 503 Race Street, 621-4112.

ACRL COMMITTEE VOLUNTEER FORM

If you are interested in serving on an ACRL standing committee, please complete this form and mail it before December 15, 1988, to: Melvin R. George, Director, Oregon State University Library, Corvallis, OR 97331.

If you would like to serve on an ACRL section committee, send this form to the appropriate section vicechair/chair-elect before the ALA Midwinter Meeting. You must be a member of the section to be considered for appointment.

Notes

1. Jorge Luis Borges, New York Review of Rooks, 1971.