Awful Library Books

Spinsters Abroad: Victorian Lady Explorers
Birkett
1989, this edition 1991

Submitter: I’m at the beginning of a massive weeding project at my public library and found this gem in the early 900s. While the topic is one that is appropriate for our collection, the title and cover are major detractors. In addition, the paperback copy is starting to yellow around the edges due to age. As awesome as these ladies are, this one is a definite discard for us.

Holly: I love the pun of the title. Spinsters A”broad”? Get it? This book could be cool: Victorian ladies shun convention in favor of adventure. According to one reviewer on GoodReads, it reads like a doctoral dissertation with percentages and facts but not enough well-developed story telling. Pure facts date a book much quicker than stories would. Bummer! Cool idea, bad delivery.

If submitter’s copy has yellow edges, they probably should weed it. If it has sat untouched for a few years, I can’t see a lot of reason to keep this one around in most public libraries. I think the cover is actually kind of appealing, but only after you read the sub-title. At first glance and out of context it’s just funny.