WIRT: ALEX RIDER!!!

Can't blog now - Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz just arrived today from the UK!!! I'm traveling to Denver tomorrow...I can pack in the morning! Homework? Who cares!!! Escapism at its best just when a person needs it the most...

WIRT: How to be Good

How to be Good by Nick Hornby
There comes a time in our lives when we look around and think, "How in the world did I get here?" or "Is this where or who I want to be?" Katie (a doctor, mom, and wife in her late thirties) is experiencing just such a crossroads in her life and Hornby takes us along for the ride. The author's humor and sly observations on life create a thought provoking read that stays with you long after you put it back on the nightstand.

Would YOU want to be Dan Brown?

Well, maybe you would since he's made $50 million in the U.S. alone for four books (according to the New York Times)! However, read this article, "For 'Code' Author, 24 Months in a Circus" about his life today and the pressure to produce a best-selling follow up to the Da Vinci Code before you decide. (Blogger's note: I haven't actually read any of his work.)

Reader Roundup - A Question for You!

So, my purpose in creating this blog is to share interesting literary and library science tidbits with my friends. However, it doesn't have to be one-sided! So, I've decided to post questions for others to respond to with their wisdom and thoughts! Here's goes:

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have ONE book with you, what book would it be?

(How to Survive on a Deserted Island is not an option!)

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Read a Book on Your Cell Phone?

Here's an article from MSNBC news describing the growing number of people who read novels on their cell phones! Can you imagine reading a book just a few lines at a time? Of course, it might come in handy in grocery store lines, airport lines, etc.

No Privacy for Kids at the Library?

Here is an article from the Portland Press Herald about a bill that is being suggested in Maine that would allow parents to view what children up to age 17 check out of libraries! Scary!

WIRT: Code Blue, How to Be Good, Astro Boy

So, the last few days have found me in a writing slump and I've turned to reading and frozen yogurt for consolation (usually at the same time). Consequently, here's what I've covered:

Code Blue: A Writer's Guide to Hospitals, Including the ER, OR, and ICU by Dr. Keith Wilson & Dr. David Page.
This educational title gave me plenty to consider as it answered some of my basic research questions. At times, it brought back some all too recent memories of not so fun days spent with Dad in the ICU. We've a lot to be thankful for!

How to Be Good by Nick Hornby. (In progress)
I'm impressed with this author's ability to be funny and serious at the same time. This title was recommend by a friend of mine (as her favorite among his work) and I'd be interested to see how his other titles compare.

Astro Boy, Vol. 1 by Osamu Tezuka.
This classic graphic novel stars the robot, Astro Boy, who was created to replace a grieving scientist's son. In this volume, Astro Boy saves the world from the sadly manipulated "Hot Dog Corp", a group of dog-robot cyborgs (among other heroic deeds).

WIRT: Beans and Compasses

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman.
This complicated fantasy is the first in the His Dark Materials trilogy. I'm listening to the audiobook (again!) and it's among the best with a full cast of performers and narration by the author.

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. (SK, LH)
A story of friendship, family, loss and love told in a down-home, lyrical language. Looking forward to the book discussion!

Toddler Blog from Committed Comic

See how blogging is everywhere? Here is a link to a funny comic strip that I found cut out and placed on my desk this morning. Here's a virtual version for you! http://www.comics.com/comics/committed/archive/committed-20050316.html

Human Google Search Engine

Check out this article from The Guardian about the retirement of an 82-year old librarian who has been clipping and archiving articles in her home for 55 years. "The Scissor Sister"

WIRT: Werewolves, ABCs, and Beans

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause.
Life's hard when you are a teenager and a werewolf.

The ABCs of Collaborative Change: The Manager's Guide to Library Renewal by Kerry Carson, et al.
Today's chapter: team building. My writing partners and work colleagues will appreciate me learning how to play well with others.

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver.
Yikes, I'd better start this book since my book club meets next week!

Check out the new blog roll on the right, under links!

Snowy March Afternoon

Another lovely day in Illinois. The sky is overcast, the ground is white, and the streets are covered with salt. It's like a gray version of paradise. Ok, obviously not, especially when some people have to go back out in the snow to finish off a split shift at work. Thankfully, in my effort to avoid doing anything productive, I found this very funny clip on my UIUC Library Science Youth Services Bulletin Board. This is for all those librarians who really wish they were police officers....http://www.soup2nuts.tv/overdue_clip1.swf Check it out (but be careful..you need audio)!

Never Enough Time!

What else would an assistant librarian do after spending the day talking about books with other librarians-to-be? Go to the bookstore, of course! But, alas, time and money are in short to supply to this grad student so all I bought was a copy of The Believer (arg - subscription hasn't started yet!). Here's my list of what to read in the future! Thanks to the 404ers who influenced this list with their booktalks!

Batman Handbook by Scotty Beatty.
Mediator by Meg Cabot.
Kick Me: Adventures in Adolescence by Paul Feig.
Split Image by Mel Glenn.
Behind Everyman by David Israel.
Devil in the White City by Eric Larson.
Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo.
The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjian.
Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss.

Lazy Comedians

Conan, Dave, and Craig: what do you do when you need another joke to fill in a monologue? Do you just go to the fat joke hat and pull out one about Kirstie Alley, Ruben Studdard, or Star Jones? These jokes are not funny, they're mean. If anyone out there (the two people who read this blog that is) watches one of these shows and sees a monologue without a fat joke, let me know! Comedians at this level should be able to come up with amusing comments without relying on such an obvious target as people struggling with being overweight. Whew, do I feel better.

Ants

We hate ants. They are the root of all evil and most likely the reason that dinosaurs became extinct. Anyone want to buy a house? No, really, this is worse than the swarm of flies on the worst birthday ever two years ago. We clean, we call exterminators, and we pay but it doesn't help! Why did I leave Denver again? I'm moving to a high-rise condo. They can't get up to the top floor, can they?

Thought of the Day

"Rejection only happens to those brave enough to take a risk."
-scrawled across my wannabe writer whiteboard for inspiration.

Random Thought: Heroes Among Us

Words will fail me as I attempt to express how amazing people are. My Dad, for one, is simply remarkable; but many others have demonstrated how one person can touch the life of another. During just the last few days, several people have done meaningful things such as remembering my name, giving me heartfelt advice on an airplane, listening to me ramble along a cold and noisy street, sending my Dad chocolates, keeping me company in long airport lines, and simply asking how I am and actually listening to my reply. I am very thankful to know the wonderful people that orbit through my life. Sappy and convoluted, but true.

WIRT: Final Superheroes Thoughts

Mr. Next-door on the airplane today was intrigued by The Science of Superheroes by Lois Gresh and Robert Weinberg (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2002), and rightly so! Here's my favorite quote, concerning "Flash" the superhero with super speed:

"On a related note, does the Flash sweat? If not, why not? If so, then his uniform must be fairly porous. All that running might steam off the sweat, but the chemical residue might make the Flash the superhero whose body odor announces his presence before he arrives!" -( p. 122-123).

WIRT: Pedro and Me by Judd Winick

This is the story of Pedro, the HIV-postive AIDS activist from the Real World reality show. This powerful and moving read was written in graphic art format by his friend and former castmate. This book was a Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book in 2001 should be on everyone's list of books to read this year. (Oh, it seems Winick also illustrates the Complete Idiot's series. See how things come full circle?)

WIRT - Annie and Superheroes on the Run

Another exciting Friday night in Denver! Sure, I could do homework. Sure, I could work on my writing projects. But, instead, I thought I'd write another dorky WIRT update, while waiting on hold ("expect 45 minutes wait") to change my weekend flight.

What I'm Reading Today:
The Science of Superheroes by Lois Gresh and Robert Weinberg.
I've only just begun this fascinating title...but have you ever wondered about the scientific principles in comic books? Well, okay, I haven't either. But think about it, how can Superman lift up a car by it's roof and the car doesn't fall apart when held from the top? Stay tuned for the explanation...

Nurse by Peggy Anderson is already packed in my luggage, but it is mocking me from the depths of my bag.

What I've Finished:
Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden (powerful novel for teens).
Nerd Gone Wild by Vicki Lewis Thompson (grocery store purchase along with lowfat frozen yogurt - enough said).

(IT"S RINGING! Leonard is helping me!!! Oh, no. I don't think he likes his j.o.b.)

What I'm Going to Check Out on Monday:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Running by Bill Rodgers.
I'm sure many of you have heard my whining about not having a treadmill here in CO. And, yes, I know that running outside is a possibility. Anyway, I seem to have an inability to pace myself while running outside. Yes, I know, what a moron. I run too fast and then have to stop! I'm sure you'll want to stay tuned for the next installment of "Ryann Tries to Run."