Awful Library Books

  • More Costume Ideas!

    More Costume Ideas!

    Costumes from Crepe Paper Pointillart 1974 Submitter:  1. Crepe paper is the worst costume-creation substance ever. Especially if a child is going to wear it. Really, how long will these costumes last before they’re torn to shreds? 2. These costumes frighten me. And the ethnic ones are so stereotyped they…

  • Sex Without Fear

    Sex Without Fear

    Sex Without Fear Lewin and Gilmore 1950 Submitter: I found this book at an estate sale – it was first printed in 1950 and, seven years after that, was on its thirteenth printing…! The pictures really speak for themselves – words fail. Holly: This was probably a reasonable library choice in 1950.…

  • So Meaty!

    So Meaty!

    Sausage and Small Goods Production Gerrard 1976 Submitter: A whole new world opened up for me on reading this book. Bits of it, I must admit, got under my skin and filled me with awe and wonder. It appears the word sausage is derived from the Latin ‘salsus’ meaning salted and…

  • Witches Potions

    Witches Potions

    Witches’ Potions And Spells Paulsen,  Ed. With decorations by Maggie Jarvis 1971 Submitter: I want to state I am in absolutely no way making fun of this book or endorsing it. I’d think a true practitioner of witch craft would find this book either funny or possibly offensive as much…

  • Flatter Your Figure

    Flatter Your Figure

    Flatter Your Figure Larkey 1991 The woman on the cover does look nicer in the blue and green outfit than the red, so the advice in the book seems reasonable based on the cover. Too bad she’s dressed like a Golden Girl. I do take issue with the section I’ve put a…

  • Scarf Tying

    Scarf Tying

    Bobbie Jean Thompson’s Scarf Tying Magic Thompson 1988 Scarves are still very fashionable, so something like this is a great book for a public library. It would be better if it had current pictures…or even good pictures. Some of them are kind of dark, like the little squares on the…