The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-01
BY WALTER d. HICKMAN.


A POSSIBLE indication that
L A American thinking is turning
to a consideration of present day
problems may be seen in "Booklist
Books 1881" just published by the
American Library Association.
"Booklist Books" is an annual
publication of book titles, voted by
Librarians throughout the country
as the books which have been most
useful to The reading public during
he year.
The list which is intended pri-
marily as buying guide for small
libraries, may not entirely coincide
with a list of best" books selected
by literary critics, nor with book
sellers list Of the most popular
titles.
It does, however, call attention to
those books which actually meet he
needs of the general reader.
A comparison Of this years titles
against those of five years ago, show
marked increase in books on
sociology. The 1881 list is three
times as long as that Of 1927. In
the same period, the number Of
technical books and books on useful
arts more than doubled.
Books on literature and history
have remained constant, while books
on travel, religion, philosophy, fic-
ton, and notably, biography, show
decreases, due perhaps, to the fact
that the emphasis on sociology has
crowded out books on other sub.
jects.
Whether the depression is causing
America to become serious minded
or whether efforts in adult educa-
ton have influenced readers tastes,
is difficult to surmise. However, the
figures seem significant.
Those who would like to compare
their recent reading with the books
listed, may consult "Booklist Books
1881" at the public library.
n
THE Story of San Michele" con-
tinues to be a Dutton best-seller.
Even a year and some months old,
this book is going out every week at
the rate of from $50 copies and up.
It is one of the ten most interesting
books I have read in the last Ave
years,
One publisher at least admits that
the talking movies increase the sale
of books written and published
many years ago. In Everyman S
Library there has been heavy de-
mand for "Frankenstein" and Or.
Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde" And the
LIBRARY gives the movies credit for
the new demand.
Word has just come from England
that Iarold NicolSon and his wife,
VictC a Sackville-West, will come
to A. lerica next fall for lecture
tours under the auspices of Golston
Leigh, Inc. Mr.. Nicolson, a former
member of the British Diplomatic
Service, is known chiefly in America
for his books, Some People" "Por-
trait Of "Diplomatist," "Tennyson, 90
Paul Verlaine" and Byron: The
Last Journey"
Houghton Miff1in Company an
nounce that the first printing of
"Conquistador," Archibald Mac
LeishS narrative poem of the con-
quest Of Mexico, has been sold out
before publication, and the second
printing is on the press. Ernest Hem
ingway, who read the poem in man
uscript, writes: If it is of any in
terest to you to read great poetry
as 1t is published before it becomes
classic and compulsory, advise you
to read 'ConquiStador'. The book
is published in an appropriate and
attractive formal. with a jacket de-
sign by Henry Strater.
A NY ONE making comparative
"A reading of our American di-
vorce statutes is aStounded by the
unnecessary variation and vague
ness OF the legislative output"
This is the statement of Chester
G. Vernier, whose volume on "Di-
vorce and Separation" in his Amer
lean Emily Laws series will appear
shortly from Stanford.
The first volume deals with the
law Of marriage; future volumes are
planned on parent and child, on
husband and wife, and on incom-
r.afanfs opI i,,dooa,,Jo..4z