The Abandoners…

I hate to abandon books.  There is nothing that leaves me with a greater sense of lost and utter despondency.  Well, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration.  I do feel like I’m betraying the author by not giving the books a fair chance.

Mostly these are books I want to like too.  Eithere the title, or the cover or the subject interest me on some level.  But then I start getting into the books and lose steam.  Or the book doesn’t get going fast enough.  Or it’s not what I expected.  Or the worse, I stop and never start caring about the characters.

I’m trying to finish the Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Gothgirlby Barry Lyga.  Great title right?  I’m slowly getting into comics and this is about a comic Fanboy.  Solid YA premise.  But it’s going nowhere, for me.  Maybe that’s part of the issue, the book’s not for me.  Maybe I really need to be a 15 year old male comic fan and not just empathise with one.  And there is nothing bad or offensive about it, it’s just kinda, blah. 

I have a decision to make, drop it and move on or muscle though.  Either way my life won’t be drastically changed, no one will die.  But it is disappointing.

My personal reading challenge…

I decided at the beginning of the year, since I have been using my goodreads account regularly, I should create a 2009 tag so I could see how many books I read all year.  And then I thought one step further, why not test myself and see if I could read 100 books this year.  Back in January I thought this would be a piece of cake.  I easily read that much in a year. 

As it turns out, not so much.  As of today I’ve only read 33 and the year is inching to being half over!  And I feel like I read all day.  Which is partially true considering how many blogs and online articles I read.  But still!  Another issue is lately I’ve been driving to work since it cuts about 30 mins off my commute.  So that’s leaving me with over 2 hours less I read every day which I’ve been spending on going out and watching Supernatural.  I would read more at work but it’s easier to pretend to be working when you’re staring at a computer screen.  I’m feeling very book lazy lately.  Part of it might be the current JOB situation.  I miss my storytime internship, I really do. 

But I’m determined to reach my goal so I’m going to buck up and try to finish three books before next Tuesday, Neverwhere (Neil Gaiman), Stiff (Mary Roach) and Nation (Terry Pratchett).  Ambitious but I believe I can do it.

How Hollywood gets it right and wrong…

Armed with a new theme and some updated links I’m ready to go!!  Again!!  I always fall off the blogging wagon but I can never stay away.  But I’ll ease back into it with a short post and work on more for tomorrow.

What are they doing with the Percy Jackson movie??!!??  I don’t usually approve of unnecessary punctuation but it is deserved in this case.  The casting for this movie, based on a favorite series of mine by Rick Rirodan, is all over the place.  You can check it all out here at the IMDB page.  I have to applaud much of the casting so far, Sean Bean as Zues (oh baby, yes) Uma Thurman as Medusa, Pierce Brosnan as Chiron…so much good.  A little on the fence about Steve Coogan as Hades, I like him but that role is really for a dark and brooding type, Richard Armitage comes to mind.  But Coogan’s good so I’ll take.  Not a bad haul so far for a kids movie right?  And then it all goes down with the casting for the kids, you know, freaking Percy Jackson.  I don’t have a problem with this Logan Lerman guy just that’s he’s pushing 18 and Percy’s way younger.  Yes typically older teens play younger teens.  But this is was suppose to be set as the next Harry Potter and they cast those kids the right age.  The chick playing Annabeth?  22!!  Really?  Really?  Rumors are swirling about major plot changes already which is very disappointing since the books already read like movies.  Rirodan gave you the action, why change it?  I have horrible visions of the disaster that was The Seeker.  Please Hollywood, please, don’t mess this up.  Please?  With sugar on top? 

The future Zeus, it helps me calm down.

Newbery, where have you gone?

For Katie:

Ah, the haters.  As an award the Newbery is succeed in my opinion, by the Caldecott, the award given to the best illustrated children’s book of the year.  Or maybe it is because that award is more exciting.  There are so many things that can go wrong in a picture book that when all the elements, illustrations, text, design, cover, come together it makes a greater impact.  But that’s another discussion.

Honest, I haven’t read most of the newer Newbery winners.  I know what they are and what they are about.  But much like the kids described in both Erica S. Perl ’s Slate response to  Anita Silvey’s School Library Journal article, I’m not attracted to those title, or haven’t gotten around to them.  Also, I read more YA Lit.  For one big reason, the action is in YA.  For many years the excitement was with Children’s books.  Of the 1990s winners I’ve read 7 of them and not because they were Newberys, just because they sounded good.  There has been a shift since.  YA lit is seeing more of the action, top name authors like Joyce Carol Oates and James Patterson writing for this age group, higher quality writing, better environment to take risks and push boundaries.  Also with Harry and all those Potter imitators, the majority of new books in Children’s is fantasy or action based, never a favorite to win awards. (See LOTR Oscar denial until the last possible moment or current uproar over Dark Knight’s lack of award noms, this translates to books too, no respect.)  Which is too bad because there is some great stuff in Children’s Fantasy/SciFi.  Rick Riroden’s Percy Jackson series, Skulduggery Pleasant (which couldn’t win because the author is not American.) 

That is another issue with the Newbery.  I understand it’s mission is to expand and promote Children’s literature in America but so much great stuff is coming from Britain and other countries too.  Side note, I don’t think the ALA would be hurt by opening the parameters of the award but that has little to no chance of happening.

 I agree with the statement one ALA committee member said, the quality book that appeals and pleases everyone while being new and innovative, isn’t there some years.  I did read the Higher Power of Lucky, last year’s Newbery.  Eh.  That was the best response I could give it.  It wasn’t bad, wasn’t stellar either.  But then I also read it knowing it was a Newbery.  Did that change my expectations?  Of course.  You expect something more from the Newberys.  Adults do at least, which brings me to my last point.

Kids rarely care about Award winners.  We librarians, book buyers, and parents care.  I could always sell a parent on a book by saying, it’s a Medal, it’s an Honor.  But really not too many other people really could care or use that to influence their reading picks.  Steve Herb, Follett Chair for Dominican University’s Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences.  Deep breath and continue.  He says there is a spectrum that all kids lit falls on, picture books, chapter books, YA.  At one end is high appeal to the reader, 2 year old, 10 year old, 16 year old doesn’t matter because at the other end is high appeal to adults, parents, librarians, publishers.  I’ve read many kids books and been like, that’s great, love it, no way will a kid read this.  But then you have your Captain Underpants and  Goosebumps that will appeal highly to it’s respective reading group (understanding full well I heart both of these series.)

What makes this discussion null in my humble opinion is that ALA has so many other awards and list these days and it seems you can get on any public library’s website and see a well crafted bibliography.  Newbery is not the only player in the game anymore and good thing too.  I also see this discussion as a microcosm of the larger conversation about future of Library (capital L).  There are those on one side, Anita Silvey and the old school saying the sky is falling, decrying the state of libraries today compared to the glory days of old.  In the oposite corner the new guard, booze drinking, tattoo sporting technofiles who say loudly and proudly, bring it.

iPhone luvin’

http://worldcat.org/blogs/archives/2008/09/worldcat-for-iphone.htm

WorldCat app for my iPhone.  Oh baby, that’s sexy.

A comment

So I got my first comment after yesterday’s post and it is a big one.  Author of Burned Ellen Hopkins left a message after I admittedly did not write a great response to her book.  I am totally amazed and appreciative that she took the time to write a comment.  Reaching out to readers of your book, even not so nice ones, is fantastic and says alot about the writer.  Since I was pressed for time and didn’t write a long review of Burned I’ll post my response that I sent off to Ellen.  I’m still awed that she commented.  So cool. 

Dear Ellen,

Thank you so much for commenting on my blog.  I write it mostly for my benefit so I have a record of my readings.  I never have expected anyone to comment, let alone an author.

I want to say that I did like Burned up to a point.  I’m not a fan of novels written in verse but Burnednever felt overly contrived and read easily, like a novel.  And I loved Pattyn and her messed up life.  She’s a very real and honest character and I really felt what she was going through.  She goes through a huge change in the novel that many people can relate to.  The ending didn’t feel tacked on just unfinished.  If you do decide to write a sequel to BurnedI’d love to read it because having a character make such a huge decision and then not show the consequences felt unfinished and unsatisfying.  What bothered me the most is not that she contemplates going on a rampage, but that as a reader I didn’t make that leap with her.  Maybe it’s just me and my experiences but I didn’t think Pattyn would do something like that.  I didn’t get enough time with her from the accident to the last pages to know. 

When we discussed your book in class quite a few people disagreed with me and thought it was great.  That to me is big sign of a good book, when there’s something to talk about.  I would not hesitate to recommend your book if someone asked my opinion but probably with a spoiler-free warning. 

Thanks again for commenting, I think it’s really awesome.

Oh wow…

So I just glanced at my syllabus for YA Mats to see where I left off in my reviews.  And found new and exciting proof that I am in fact extremely lazy.  Well not so much lazy, I just don’t think I manage my time very well.  Especially at work.  At 8am 4:30pm is so far away.  My final is coming up so it might be a handy exercise to do a one line review with a yah or nah vote for the title.  And hopefully we’ll get back into some serious reading, like the new Percy Jackson.

Genre Fiction

The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer – Fun, futuristic, interesting adventure story.  Loved the characters, the action and the humor.  Colfer strikes again, Awesome.

Sabriel by Garth Nix – Sorry to say, I just couldn’t get into it.  Too slow, too boring, I didn’t finish. Just didn’t float my boat.  Whatevs.

Peeps by Scott Westerfield – Set in NYC which was fun.  A different take on “vampires” which was fun too.  Sharp writing and great scenes.  Awesome.

Multimedia…uh, I didn’t read any of the books and I’ve already read Potter 7 so hearing it was nice, Jim Dale rules but nothing much to report.  My committment to not reading Gossip Girl stands. 

Nonfiction

Hitler Youth by Susan Bartoletti – I enjoyed that besides getting general information, Bartoletti decided to follow 6 or 7 teens living in Nazi Germany and went into detail about their lives.  Lots of great resources, pictures and well researches.  Awesome

Fields of Fury: The American Civil War by James McPherson – Although the Civil War is not my favorite war, this book was very well made with tons of good features for kids.  Although not as specific as Hitler Youth, it still had some good stuff.  Cool.

Tree of Life by Peter Sis – A book that looks cooler than it actually is.  Although it gives the basics of Darwin and his work, the art work used in the book is a the real draw, yet not used as efectively as it could be.  Still Cool.

Adult Books for YAs

A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer – A powerful story about an abused child.  So terrible I couldn’t bring myself to read it again.  But would still recommend. Awesome.

Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold – Liked the writing, like the perspective, but very depressing story about death and families.  Would recommend but was hard going trying to read on an airplane when there’s a strom out your window.  Cool.

Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah – I would have appriciated it more if I didn’t feel the author’s point breathing down my neck so much.  A cautionary tale about drug life, it was sometimes hard to care about the characters. Whatevs.

And finally Mock Printz Award Night

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume One: The Pox Party by MT Anderson – I liked it, alot.  Very interesting design, story, writing style.  It was made to look like an 18th century book which was fun.  Would have to make sure to give it to the right kid though.  Not an easy read, writing or story.  Awesome.

Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher – I heart Crutcher.  As much as I want to be mad at him for his flat, secondary female characters I still love his work.  Whale Talk is one of his best and it holds up considering I read it over 5 years ago and still loved it.  Awesome.

Burned by Ellen Hopkins – I was trying very hard in class to descirbe why I disliked this book.  It wasn’t the sad ending, I don’t mind when things don’t end happily ever after.  I mind though when an author spends over 200 pages setting up a character only to destroy that growth and progress in less than 4 pages.  Why?  I feel betrayed as a reader when I feel lead around only to be punched in the face, and not in a good way.  I really felt the ending was added for total shock value.  Totally unecessary.  Lame.

Monster by Walter Dean Myers – Another book I read 5 years ago that still holds up well.  Told in screenplay format the story is a common one of youth crime but it is so unique when told from Steven’s perspective.  Leaves the reader thinking too, not frustrated and wanting to set fire to the thing.  Awesome.

Woo, so not so hard as I thought.  But we’ll get around to more good things soon.  Like Breaking Dawn.

So glad they didn’t mess this up…

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is going to rule.  Loved the book and so happy they haven’t completely screwed with the movie.  

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3166830873/

Blogging from strange locales…the El!

Wow! These iPhone Apps are so cool. Not only can I blog but I can also turn my phone into a light saber. Awesome!

Know what else is awesome? Finishing my last paper for LIS808. Two more and a final to go for YA Mat.

Want more awesomeness? Breaking Dawn comes out at midnight. Sweet. Meiner schwester and I are picking it up. Oh yeah.

Working vacation…

I still have to catch up my reviews for YA class but I’m going to take a break.  I’ve been taking a break for the last few weeks.  It’s getting to be that time, that end of the semester time.  You get ambivalent about doing work well, or at all.  Push it off until “later.”  Plus to be honest I haven’t been too interested in the books last few weeks.  Not to say they’re bad, well some are.  They’re just sort of blah.  Maybe that’s just me and nonfiction. 

While wondering the internet I came upon a New York Times Op-Ed by Gail Collins about everyone’s favorite summer release, Breaking Dawn.  Called “A Virginal Goth Girl,” the article explores Collins thoughts on the Saga’s popularity with young women.  She points to the “hunky” vampire hero Edward.  Then she jumps to the contention that because of the prevalence of Internet porn young men are all looking for porn stars.  What was most interesting though was this line.

“This sure sounds like trouble to me: A generation of guys who will settle for nothing less than a porn star meets a generation of women who expect their boyfriend to crawl through their bedroom window at night and just nuzzle gently until they fall asleep.”

Doesn’t everyone want a cuddle?  That’s why we get dogs and cats and let them on the furniture.  And shed on our black pants.  Right?

Back to business though, I wonder if its that simple really.  I’m conflicted because I want to agree with Collins.  I think our media send a message to girls that your worth is based on your looks.  And I agree maybe of these expectations are unattainable.  And I’m not a guy.  As much as women are supposed to be a mystery guys are like foreign lands in my book.  I can’t say what guys want.  I can’t imagine they all look for hair extensions and balloon breast.   But it makes me wonder, are men and women’s expectation of relationships that far apart?  Just some thoughts.  Here’s the link.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/12/opinion/12colllins.html?ex=1373774400&en=91539d49d5bec280&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

PS – If you don’t appreciate the popularity of the Twilight books, just check out the Facebook app Flair and see how many pieces are about them.  Me, I’m a Jacob girl.