Boys Rule Boys Read!: January 2017

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

A Simple Resolution for 2017

Belated greetings of the new year, guys! The Iron Guy is sorry to have taken so long to post but the first few weeks of the new year are always busy. But I hope to make up for it. And I'll start right away.

A lot of grownups start the new year with resolutions, that is, with commitments to yourself to do something better. Some people want to lose weight, exercise more, stop a bad habit, etc. The Iron Guy usually makes resolutions about what kind of stuff to read, as I did in 2014. I got the idea for this year's resolution from our good friend Ms. Yingling. She wrote a post about a football book called Left Out and challenged bloggers to read more sports books, especially sports fiction. What a great idea! Boys---Sports. It's a natural combination. So why haven't I read more sports books over the years? Such an obvious connection and I missed it! The Iron Guy hangs his head in shame---but only for a moment! Here's a chance to correct that oversight. The Charlotte Meckelnburg library system has lots and lots and lots of books, both fiction and nonfiction, about sports that guys would love. Therefore, Ms. Yingling, I will take you up on your challenge! The books are out there---bring them on!! (I have one already--Free Throw by Jake Maddox. I haven't read it yet but I know his books are quick and good)

Actually, this is a long-term resolution for all of 2017. There are so many sports books that it would take a long time to read even a small amount of them. Besides, I've got a few other things to do soon. I've got plans for a couple of things on the blog this year. And I'm going to finish a really fun book soon and I can't wait to tell you about it. Then I've got one really, really big (and scary!) project planned for this year that will test the Iron Guy's MANLY MANLINESS to the very limits. What is it? You've got to stay tuned to find out!

The Iron Guy--he loves books, he loves sports.

Here's How Our Blog Works

If you don't know how to post comments or reviews to our blog or if you want to read what we and other boys have written, here's what you do:

1. Every post has a place underneath it that says "Comments". Click on it and it will take you to a place in which you can write something. When you're done, click on a way to identify yourself. You don't have to create a Blogger/Google account (unless you already have one); you can click on "Name/URL" or even "Anonymous." Then click "Publish Your Comment." We try to get your comments and reviews posted right away, but sometimes we get busy with other duties. So, if you don't see your comment right away, don't panic. We'll post it soon.

Don't forget--any boy can get a free book the first time he writes a review. If you live too far away to come to the Myers Park library, go ahead and write to us anyway. We'll try to find a way to get a book to you. Besides, all the other boys out there would love to hear from you.

When you tell us about a book, please give the title, author, what the book is about, and why you did or didn't like it.

2. Blogs go "front to back"; that is, the newest post comes up first and the older ones are put further back. You click on the "Blog Archive" to read older articles. The posts for this month have the titles listed. You can click on other months to catch our other posts. (Our introduction is in June of 2007; if you're new to this blog, you might look it up.)

3. Underneath each post you'll see a line that says "Labels" and several other words such as "graphic novels" or "Andrew Clements." These extra words are links to a subject; for instance, if you clicked on "graphic novels," it would pull up all the posts about graphic novels. There's also a section below on some of our best posts on the most popular subjects

4. Did you notice that the posts from last year don't show up month by month as they did before this year? If you click on the triangle next to the previous years, the months will drop down and you can go back and see what we and your fellow readers have written.

The Iron Guy's Review Policy

1. Since the Iron Guy works for the terrific Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, I review only books that the library already has or will get soon.
2. If you are an author or publisher or agent and think you have a book that boys will go crazy over, please leave me a comment (with your email address so I can contact you) under any post. I will look and see if we have the book. If not, and if the book looks good, I will contact Those Who Order Books and see if CML would be interested. (Please note--CML does not usually order self-published books) PLEASE do not just send me a book! I appreciate the offer but but first I want to see if CML has it or will get it soon.