TWILIGHT!

We saw Twilight! We saw Twilight! La la la la la la!

No, seriously. We did.

What did everyone think about it? My opinion...I think it might have been a pretty bad movie. But I loved it! I really very much enjoyed this movie. And may I just say, Robert Pattinson is adorable throughout the movie trying so hard to cover up his real life English accent! So cute! I loved Charlie. I do believe he was my favorite character. I won't post any spoilers here, though anyone who read the book knows exactly what happens, you won't be shocked. However, no spoilers.

That being said, I want to know what everyone else thought! Comment about the movie. Again, try to avoid spoilers.

Yay!

That is all.

- Krista

Magic the Gathering

Starting next Monday (November 3), we will be running Magic games for teens every Monday from 3-5pm. We're hoping in the future to run fundraiser tournaments open to all ages, but for now we'd be happy if you joined us on Mondays for free play.

You know where to find me for more information.

Don't forget to check out the Friday Night Magic free plays run by Gamer Craze at the Partridge Cafe at 6pm.

Gamer Craze has supported our teen programs since the very beginning. Show them some love!

- Krista

Twilight Tournament Recap

It's over. We did it. What a blast! This rocked so hard! There were 20 of you present here. There were 85 of you present online. Wow! We were so many that we actually crashed Meebo...twice! This was an amazing event! It was the first of it's kind for the North Country, but will not be the last.

Special thanks to Domino's, Canton Hackett's, The Blackbird Cafe, Lorraine Nolan, Hilary's Mom, the North Country Library System, all the libraries that participated, and all of you who attended.

- Krista

MALAWI COMES TO THE CANTON FREE LIBRARY

Canton Free Library invites the public to hear Linda Potter, Ellen Grayson, Vicki McLain, and Katrina Hebb discuss their recent church-sponsored journey to the African country of Malawi, known as the Warm Heart of Africa. The multimedia presentation takes place at noon on Tuesday, September 30th, in the library’s Paige Room. Guests may bring a brown bag lunch and beverage to the event. The women have many stories to share about their work with Malawian widows. There will time for questions as well as displays of cloths, pottery, jewelry and more. For more information about the program, contact Lyn Swafford at 386-3712.

Reminder: Re: Anime Club

Just a reminder that there will be Anime Club next Wednesday the 20th from 3:00-5:30pm and the following Wednesday the 27th at the same time.

The Anime Club will now be meeting every week. Our room is unavailable the first and last Wednesday of the month so those weeks we will keep our old day and time and meet on Friday from 5:00-7:30pm. Every week in between we will be meeting on Wednesday from 3:00-5:30pm.

Keep an eye on the teen website for schedules.

- Krista

We Can Has Video Games?

We have made yet another leap that lands us even further into the land of awesome than we were before...

We are now accepting donations of the following types of video games and systems that are in excellent condition: Playstation, Playstation 2, Playstation 3, GameCube, Wii, Xbox, and Xbox 360. At this time we will not be accepting any handheld or cartridge-based games or systems. All donated systems will be tested before being accepted. Please bring all donations to the front circulation desk.

Donated games will be added to the collection. Patrons can look forward to video game library programs, and many will be available for checkout!

As always, for more information contact us in any of the usual ways.

This is going to be awesome!

- Krista

Breaking Dawn

Well, I did it! I read Breaking Dawn. The series is over.

Before I express my opinion on this book I'd like to point out that it seems like the whole world hates it. Way before there should even be reviews, people were saying it was a horrible book. It's been said many times that it was drawn out and slow going. And I suppose if you just look at the 754 pages, it would seem that way.

However, upon reading the book I have this to say, it rocks. Really. It rocks hard. Stephenie Meyer proved in this book more than any other so far her skill as a storyteller. She kept the reader locked in on the emotions of the characters and really made you feel the spectrum, from desolation to blinding joy. That is a skill too often sacrificed in today's literature. As far as it being slow, I knew there would be criticism of this book. There's no pleasing everyone especially in the conclusion of a series that is so polarized. There's also bound to be some resentment as fans of the series don't want to see it end so there will never be a good ending. That being said, I think all other criticism of this book could be taken in stride, however, it is anything but slow. There were so many things happening. So many twists. It never got boring. All in all it was an spectacular journey and my mind cannot fathom how it could possibly have concluded in any other way.

Now I've got to hold my breath until Midnight Sun!

Also, I have a limited number of Breaking Dawn buttons and bookmarks that were sent to me by the publisher. Contact me in any of the usual ways to find out how to get one.

- Krista

More Advance Reading Copies

I just received a box of advance reading copies. If you would like to review any of these books, please contact me. Here are the titles:

Babylonne - Catherine Jinks
Deadville - Ron Koertge
The Darkness Under the Water - Beth Kanell
The Ghost's Child - Sonya Hartnett
All We Know of Love - Nora Raleigh Baskin
Anila's Journey - Mary Finn
Down Sand Mountain - Steve Watkins
Chameleon - Charles R. Smith, Jr.
The Savage - David Almond, Illustrated by Dave McKean
Kaimira: The Sky Village - Monk & Nigel Ashland
Robe of Skulls - Vivian French & Ross Collins
War Is...
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Volume II - M.T. Anderson

- Krista

...Fin!

Well, our first shot at a Teen Summer Library Program has come to an end. I think it went pretty well. The Pizza Party on Friday was a big hit. For future reference, four large pizzas and 20 breadsticks are not, in fact, adequate for feeding 15 teenagers. ...in case anyone was wondering. Thank you to everyone who came to the programs. These things don't happen without your participation. Keep in mind that I always like to hear program ideas from the people who would be attending the programs. So if you have any ideas for next year or for programs for the rest of the year, please contact me. Rumor has it the theme for next years summer program is "the arts".

My deepest thanks to the following people and organizations:
Jreck's subs, for feeding everyone at the Game Night.
Gamer Craze, for letting us borrow a controller for the Game Night.
Tyler Flanagan, for letting us play Rock Band, oh yeah, be sorry you missed that one, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl!
Cole DeSantis, for letting us use his Wii.
Rainbow Crabtree, for sharing her time, knowledge and food for our nutrition workshop.
Master Frank Palumbo, for sharing his knowledge and expertise of martial arts with us.
Beverly Ewart and Kelly Woodruff, for sharing their time and creativity for our scrapbook workshop.
Sarah Scafidi-McGuire, for sharing her time and expertise of yoga with us.
Donald Thompson, for sharing his knowledge and experience to teach us first aid and CPR.
Pizza Hut, for feeding everyone at the Pizza Party, or trying to...how does that much food disappear that fast?!?
Video Plus, for donating a $20 gift certificate to be given away in our Library Crawler Card drawing.

Thanks to everyone! I really think this was fun. Now send me some ideas on how to top this next year!

- Krista

Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling

"Good. A little overrated."

- Nicole Potter

Dream Girl was just released last week.

Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez

"description: Daisy is the only kid in her family that's not psychic. But a strange murder and even her psychic detective mother can't figure it out she takes it upon her self to figure out the crime. As she delves deeper into her towns strange history and discovers a vampire might be the culprit can she survive?
rating:excellent"

- Ansel Shipley

Dead is the New Black is scheduled for publication in September of this year.

Vibes by Amy Kathleen Ryan

"Very good. Excellent book! I think the library should get a copy."

- Allison Mousaw

"description: Kristi is big breasted, psychic freak. She has no friends until she meets Mallory a new boy to her psychotic "school" called Journeys. But when things get weird can she even trust the vibes?
rating: great"

- Ansel Shipley

Vibes is scheduled to be published in October of this year.

Advance Reader Copies

I have recently acquired some advance reader copies of upcoming young adult books. What this means is these books have not yet been released or even edited. I am allowing teens to take these books home to preview under the condition that I get a review of the book in return. I will then be posting the reviews on here. So if you're interested in taking one home, contact me in any of the usual ways.

AIM: CFLYAZ
kbriggs@ncls.org
315-386-3712
or just comment

- Krista

Breaking Dawn Spoiler!

Entertainment Weekly had an interview with Stephenie Meyer during which she disclosed a major spoiler for Breaking Dawn! Read at your own risk!

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20215228,00.html

- Krista

Teen Summer Library Program - Week Three

Our first Teen Summer Library Program is finishing up this week with a yoga workshop on Monday at 3pm, followed by a first aid workshop on Wednesday at 3pm and we're wrapping up with a pizza party on Friday starting at 3pm and continuing on into Anime Club until 7:30pm.

Also, ask about ways to earn prizes. This is the last week prizes will be available, but stay tuned because this is not the end of teen programs at the library! Nay! This is only the beginning!

- Krista

Change of Plans

We will be holding the Japanese Lessons for Teens in August! Not quite set on a date yet. Talk to me for more information: comment to this post, email me: kbriggs@ncls.org, IM me: AIM: CFLYAZ, or call me: 386-3712.

- Krista

Teen Summer Library Program - Week Two

Our first Teen Summer Library Program entered it's second week with a Scrapbook Workshop on Monday, followed by insect origami (part 2) at 3pm on Wednesday and a Martial Arts demonstration and workshop at 3pm on Friday.

Don't forget to stop in next week for a yoga workshop on Monday at 3pm, followed by a first aid workshop on Wednesday at 3pm and we're wrapping up with a pizza party on Friday starting at 3pm and continuing on into Anime Club until 7:30pm.

Also, ask about ways to earn prizes.

Twilight Trailers

Eeeep!

Hello, my YAs, my sub-adults, my teens! Your wonderful, spectacular beloved neighborhood young adult coordinator has done something great for you! In October, during Teen Read Week, your favorite library will be offering Japanese classes for ages 12-18! Please, feel free to register, request information, or shower me with praises via comments to this blog, email at kbriggs@ncls.org or AIM at CFLYAZ or, if your fingers hurt, by phone at 386-3712. OR you could just come to the Summer Library Program this week and next week and talk to me in person while possibly winning a prize.

- Krista

Teen Summer Library Program - Week One

Our first Teen Summer Library Program kicks off next Monday with games and food at 5pm, followed by insect origami at 3pm on Wednesday and a nutrition workshop (complete with taste-testing) at 3pm on Friday. Stick around on Friday for Anime Club at 5pm.


So register! Do it!

Twilight

Twilight movie

Check it out. You know you want to.

Read the books. Contact me to find out why.

386-3712 or kbriggs@ncls.org or AIM: CFLYAZ

- Krista

Iron Man

I am a lifelong, self professed comic book nut. Comics have been a hobby (or obsession) of mine since childhood. At the age of ten I was given a refrigerator box full of comics, and I was immediately hooked. I spent a good deal of my leisure time fighting the hordes with Conan, battling the Red Skull with Captain America, and swinging across Manhattan with Spider Man.

The last few years of comic book movies have been fantastic. Box office winners like X-Men and Spider Man have helped blot out memories of stinkers like the 1970’s version of Spider man, the Dolph Lundgren version of The Punisher, and the dreadful Nick Fury, Agent of Shield that David Hasselhoff wishes never happened.

When I heard the announcement that Marvel Comics had greenlighted Iron Man, I was actually a bit nervous. This would be an easy one to completely ruin. Iron Man has always been every bit the flawed hero… he has no genetic super powers… he relies on his brains and an armoured battle suit to fight crime and mete out justice. Tony Stark is not your standard Clark Kent, all American boy alter ego… he was modeled on Howard Hughes, and was portrayed as a hard drinking billionaire playboy.

My fears, it seems, were not warranted. Robert Downey junior was casting brilliance. Who better to play a womanizing lush than him! The writing, with all the possibilities for being hackneyed and over the top, was brilliant! They updated the Iron Man story line, and the dialogue was fresh and humorous. The film was everything I could have hoped for and more… action scenes were fast paced, dramatic scenes were well paced and engrossing, and the armour… wow.

All in all… movie magic. I only give it two thumbs up because I lack more thumbs. I highly recommend that you go see it, and when you do, stay to the end of the credits. At all costs. I don’t care if the place is on fire… it’s worth it.

- Sam

The Host

The Host, the newest book by the Twilight series author, Stephenie Meyer, was my latest conquest. This was a truly startling book. I read about 30 pages into it and had to skip to the end to read the last two paragraphs to be sure there was a light at the end of the tunnel, of course this may just be a result of my own nature (I've done the same thing with many books in the past, bad habit) It was so bleak. As I read, I felt my heart drop about a dozen times.

That said, I'm sure this is starting to sound like a negative review, but trust me when I say it is not. This book was breath-taking. Stephenie Meyer certainly has a knack for making her characters real to the reader. She makes you feel what the main character feels, and in this case that gets a little complicated as there are two people in the main character's head, so you're really not sure who you're empathizing with.

I was reluctant to read this book. I'm starting to realize that when it comes to books, I'm overly judgmental and reluctant to try new things, something I'm trying to remedy. I'm not into the alien thing. I never was. Give me vampires, give me werewolves and dragons and faeries. Those things I can make myself believe in, even if only for the short duration of the book (except unicorns, we all know unicorns are real). But aliens? Really? Now that's a little far-fetched. Reluctant as I was, however, with the Twilight series fresh in my mind and the anticipation of the next book still strong, when anything with Stephenie Meyer's name on it is shoved my way, my snobbish stubbornness will crumble. I endured 624 pages of elation and heartbreak at the hands of the emotional sadist I've come to love.

Now let us all clap our hands and say, "I do believe MTV won't ruin the Twilight movie. I do believe."

- Krista

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament

Okay, this report is a little late, but here it is:

On April 5th we finally had our tournament. Our original tournament featuring Super Smash Bros. Melee in celebration of Teen Tech Week at the beginning of March was snowed, sleeted, and hailed out. We played for a bit but ultimately decided to reschedule for April.

So April came and this time I got us a copy of Brawl, which prevented a repeat of the coup I had to quell in March over the fact that the tournament was happening one day before Brawl was released, due, I might add, to setbacks with Ninendo...not my fault!

The tournament was alot of fun. We had around 12 people so it didn't take long to determine a winner, Kevin Platt. With our winner established it was a free-for-all. We played for hours before we finally called it quits and went home. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I know I did.

Here are some pictures:




Very special thanks to Gamer Craze, who donated a $20 gift certificate to their store as the prize. They were great about supporting us and pleasant to work with.

- Krista

Science Fair

Last night I helped do interviews for the Elementary School Science Fair. As this was my first time, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Upon entering the school and being engulfed in the chaos that naturally forms when young children congregate (that's a law of physics, I'm sure. Look it up.), I thought for sure I would be overwhelmed. However, after receiving my list of kids and the questions I was to ask them, I wandered around and looked at the many projects. I was amazed at the complexity and depth of some of them, and the creativity of others. As I interviewed the kids I was assigned to, I marveled again at the variety of answers I got to the same three questions. What interested you in this project? From one child I learned that he was not originally interested in his project. He looked, but could not find one that interested him. But in response to my asking him to tell me about his project, his eyes lit up and he very excitedly showed me how it worked and how he made it. When I asked him what he learned from this, he got excited and started pointing out facts illustrated on his display and elaborating on them. It was clear that, while he had started out with a mediocre interest in the project, he ended up becoming very fascinated with what he'd learned.

It was also very nice to see so many of the kids I see everyday at the library showing off their creations. All in all, it was a really fun night.

-Krista

Persona 3

I beat my first video game ever last weekend! I'm so proud of myself. I'm obsessive about leveling up so I met the end boss battle with a level 99 team. I rocked!

For those of you who don't know, Persona 3 is one of the most awesome games ever created...says I who has completed only this game. One of the most interesting aspects of Persona 3 is the social links. You can not get anywhere in the game unless you join after school activities and spend time with people and be nice to them. The personas themselves are the embodiment of your personality. Usually based on mythological beings, they emerge from you and help you fight battles.

I found the storyline absolutely fascinating and couldn't put the controller down. It is a Playstation 2 game put out last year. It has an extended game coming out next month. It is rated Mature, so it is not for younger audiences. However, for the mature audience it is directed towards, I highly recommend it!

- Krista

Teen Tech Week

Don't forget, this week Monday through Saturday is Teen Tech Week. Participate in our Photoshop contest for a chance to win a gift certificate to the Brewer Bookstore. Join us to add your input on the creation of the YA webpage. Share your opinions and suggestions on books, movies, music or hobbies you may have. And join us on Saturday for the SUPER SMASH BROS. MELEE tournament!

Sunday Nights With Miss Austen

For the past month and a half, I’ve been looking forward to Sunday nights. At 9pm on PBS, Masterpiece Theater presents The Complete Jane Austen . Last Sunday I watched the final installment of the wonderful BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. In addition to this feature, the collection includes five new adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels along with a biopic of her life.

I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is about these stories that mesmerizes me. I am definitely entranced by the costumes, daily rituals, and lovely scenery. As I watch I reflect upon all of the progress women have made since that time period. I am relieved that getting married or becoming a governess are no longer the only options for a “respectable” woman. I’m also glad that one mistake can’t ruin one’s entire reputation.

Yet I am also struck by the things that have stayed the same. Beauty, youth and wealth are still prized more than other qualities in our society. Jane Austen’s characters often lack some of these prized qualities, and many modern women can empathize with their struggle to succeed in society.

However, Jane Austen’s stories are also uplifting. Often the poor, clever woman finds unexpected happiness or the woman who has made a mistake reinvents herself and is given a second chance. Repeatedly, Austen’s characters succeed against all odds.

My only criticism of the new PBS adaptations is that they are a little too short (my husband would probably argue otherwise). Two features remain to be shown: Emma (March 23rd) and Sense & Sensibility (March 30th & April 3rd). I hope others will look forward to them as much as I am.

-Amanda

Teen Tech Week

In celebration of Teen Tech Week, we have a number of things going on, everything is open to all teens, ages 12-18. Monday, March 3rd voting will begin for the Photoshop Contest (see below). You can vote right here on our polls or stop into the library to let us know which altered photo you liked best. Also on Monday and Wednesday, March 5th, from 3-5pm I will be in the YA Zone building a YA webpage. Please come in between those times to offer your opinions and suggestions on the design, layout and content of the page. On Tuesday, March 4th and Thursday, March 6th please check back here for a live chat. I would love to post your opinions, comments and recommendations on books, movies, music or whatever else you're into. On Friday we will announce the results of the voting for the Photoshop Contest. The winner will receive a gift certificate to the Brewer Bookstore. And on Saturday, March 8th we are holding a Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament! We will gather in the Paige Room at 3pm. The winner will receive a gift certificate to Gamer Craze! Registration is required so call, stop in or email me to sign up to compete.

Photoshop Contest:
Pick one of the photos below. Alter it in a cool way. Keep it appropriate. Post it as a comment or email it to me. During Teen Tech Week, vote for your favorite. The photo with the most votes will be the winner.





Enjoy!

- Krista

Francesca Lia Block

Quite honestly, Francesca Lia Block has a writing style the likes of which I've never seen in any novel. Her books are all pretty short, but with so much emotion packed inside of them. It's almost as if she started writing a poem and just kept going until she had a book. So far I have read Weetzie Bat, Witch Baby, Cherokee Bat and the Goat Guys, Missing Angel Juan and The Rose and the Beast. Every book was beautiful, that's really the only way to describe them. The Rose and the Beast, which I read most recently, was an interesting twist on a few of the classic fairytales like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty, Thumblina and Beauty and the Beast. What made it so fascinating was that Block offered a modern and darkened retelling of the stories we all know so well. I really think that the works of Francesca Lia Block are some of the only books that could never be turned into movies. There is just nothing in the real world that could do her words justice.

- Krista

Gossip Girl

After much resistance and sighing and complaining, I surrendered to the idea of reading Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar. I went into it with expectations, no, certainties of how horribly catty and shallow it would be, knowing I would hate it. I gritted my teeth and felt on the verge of screaming out in frustration through most of the book. However, regardless of my book-induced inner anguish, I couldn't put it down. It wasn't until the end of the book that I realized I actually enjoyed it. Chock full of things we'll never see and experiences we'll never have, it still somehow managed to bring the "other half" into a light that made them recognizable to the rest of us, though that wasn't even its true appeal.

I find I have a problem with many works of fiction, be they books, movies, plays, whatever. It always seems to me that simple common sense is always sacrificed for the sake of plot twists. This frustrates me to the point where I often find myself cursing the characters aloud (thus attracting much attention to the lunatic talking to her book). To be honest, this was the appeal of Gossip Girl for me. There was very little, if any, of this happening in this book and for that I thank Cecily Von Ziegesar.

If I had to make a comparison, I would compare this book to the nastiest roller coaster or carnival ride you've ever been on. Through the whole ride you're praying for deliverance and cursing yourself for being dumb enough to be strapped to this thing. However, once the ride is over and you stagger away, you realize how much fun you had while mentally doling our your worldly goods. So you stagger to the back of the line and anxiously wait to be strapped back in. I too, have strapped back in as I dive into the sequal, Gossip Girl: You Know You Love Me. I do, Cecily, I do.

- Krista

Lyn

Hello library friends! Just wanted to say how happy I am that CFL now has a blog where our patrons can let us know - well - lots of things. I write the weekly column for the Plaindealer and wonder how many people "out there" actually read it. If you do, what do you look forward to reading most? If you don't read it, I could upload some of the items here. New books in the collection? Programming notes? What would you like to see on our blog? That's it for my first post. Looking forward to your comments!

Ta Da!

...And here it is. Canton Free Library's very first blog. What we're hoping to do here is offer a place where our patrons can communicate, with us and with each other, share thoughts, ideas and opinions. Book, movie, music reviews. Constructive suggestions. Questions. Requests. Recommendations. Feel free to share!