Friday, January 30, 2009

Book of the Week: Watchmen

This is the weirdest book I've ever read. I seriously have never read a book with so many disturbing twists and turns ever. So teens should really like this book. Watchmen by Alan Moore is a graphic novel that tells the story of a group of superheroes who are nothing like Batman or Wonder Woman. People like Rorschach, who wears a mask like the ink blots, came from a dysfunctional family, and the Silk Spectre, a female heroine, has a rough relationship with her daughter who follows in her footsteps. Then there's the mystery of solving the murder of the Comedian, a sleazy member of their crime-fighting group that had a lot of enemies. There are so many other stories within this story, I can't remember them all, and this book really needs to reread to be understood.

Though it's confusing to me, it's still a fascinating read, especially when Moore writes about the characters' personal lives. The illustrations by Dave Gibbons are haunting as well. The old-fashioned look of the characters contrast with the modern problems they have. I don't how the blockbuster movie coming out in March can match the darkness and sadness of the novel, but we'll see. I'm choosing this book to start off my Young Adult Graphic Novel club in March and this book should make it a very interesting start.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Gaming Thursdays next February

Next Thursday is gaming for elementary school kids, but with tweens and teens playing together lately, I may change it to all ages. The games are Amped and Super Monkey Ball Blitz. If you don't like those games, bring your own, but it has to be E or T. If you bring an M game, a parent has to come and say it's ok for you to play. But I'll deal with that later. Thanks to the kids that came!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Teen Gaming Tomorrow!

It's Teen Gaming tomorrow at the library. Halo and Rock Band are the featured games and the Wii will be out for open gaming. I'll see you teens tomorrow from 4 to 6 .

Monday, January 26, 2009

Are Wii Games Not Meeting Their Potential?

http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/is-the-wii-failing-to-meet-its-potential-/1281752

This article is about Wii games not " living up to their potential'', but I don't get it. If games are popular, does it matter if they're good? Paul Blart: Mall Cop is the number one movie, but it's not very good. ( Though I haven't seen the movie, I think I can safely assume it won't win any Oscars). On a subject I'm familiar with, music, there are people who like Soulja Boy, a popular, but not brilliant, rapper. I don't really care for his music, I wish people would listen to Lupe Fiasco more, but if other people like it, fine. People like silly movies, games, and songs. One person's " bad'' game may be brilliant to another person. It's all a matter of opinion. When "critically acclaimed'' games sell more, Wii and Nintendo will make more. Just as with movies and music, the only thing that matters is what people will buy.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Book of the Week: Coraline by Neil Gaiman

I loved this weird, short, great book since I read it a couple of years ago. It's the story of a girl, Coraline Jones, that moves into a new house and explores an abandoned hallway. After walking down the hallway, she finds a house identical to hers and finds her ''other mother''. The mother is attentive and cooks, unlike her "real mother'', and Coraline wants to stay with her except the "other mother'' isn't quite what she seems.

In this other world with the other mother, the mother has black button eyes, has built everything in the other world, and won't let Coraline leave. Trapped, Coraline finds other children that the other mother has kidnapped . Coraline realizes she has to escape the other mother, fight to get home to her parents , and save the other children with her.

Coraline was a best-seller when it first came out and should be again when the movie version comes out February 6. I chose this book as a discussion book for February 19 for teens, but both tweens and teens should enjoy the book. It's creepy without being too scary and gives great lessons in what makes a family and what it mans to be brave. Coraline is a book that packs a lot of meaning into a few pages.




Thursday, January 22, 2009

Teen Gaming January 29!

Teen Gaming is next week and it's open gaming, bring any game rated E or T with Halo being an exception by popular demand. Thanks to the kids ( and teens) that showed up today to play Wii games and DDR. There's going to be a DDR tournament Saturday February 21, more details to follow!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

New Gossip Girl Spinoff: More Rich Teenagers on TV Coming Soon!


There's supposed to be a new Gossip Girl spin-off coming soon (link below). I don't get the books or the show, but I'm sure some teens will be happy. If you want an alternative to spoiled, irresponsible, rich teenagers, watch Degrassi: The Next Generation on the N. These teenagers are spoiled and irresponsible, but they're not all wearing Prada and Gucci and have real problems, like illness, pregnancy, and eating disorders. I know teens want fun and I watched the original 90210 , ( yes, I'm old), but I also liked those after school specials that dealt with racism or drug abuse. I'd rather watch shows that tell me my problems can be solved than ignore the fact that there are problems. But that's me. You teens enjoy your new Gossip Girl and hopefully, Degrassi, too.