Farrow's Books for 2011

The Year in Review

She's a witch! Burn her!

Sir Bedevere: What makes you think she's a witch?
 Peasant 3:Well, she turned me into a newt!
 Sir Bedevere: A newt?
 Peasant 3: [meekly after a long pause] ... I got better.
Crowd: [shouts] Burn her anyway!
         -Monty Python and the Holy Grail 1974


Talk about educating America and people for that matter. Where was that philosophy in 1692 (or 1940 for that matter)?

This book was a fascinating mix of fact and illustrations. Rosalyn Schanzer did a great job of finding out the facts and statistics of the events and victims (on both sides) of this horrible misfortune. Her illustrations add a creativity to the story that pulls a reader into the descriptions of abuse from the accusers.

Dramatic courtroom scenes are described throughout the book, like this dramatization, "Oh minister, she wanted me to sign the devil's book, and she's pinching me now!" (while at the same time, the child is pinching herself). Accusers were also found to have pins to prick themselves tucked into their sleeves.

What kills me about this story is that real people were stupid enough to believe the words (lies) of children. Like people actually turned into spirit form and mounted poles just to poke and pinch people. As a result 200 people were accused, 20 were executed, and 4 died in jail awaiting trial, sentencing, or just because they couldn't pay their way out. One girl came forward to admit she had lied and she was accused of being a witch in league with the devil.

Sounds a little familiar doesn't it? By the time World War II had ended as estimated 8,861,800 Jews had lost their lives in the holocaust. All because of someone's lies, propaganda, and personal agenda.

Or maybe today when people (still) discriminate because of another person's race, color, religion, or sexual orientation, need I go on?

Anyway, moving on. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fact. you get a lot of background on the accusers and the accused, as well as their fates. This would also make for a great book report for a middle school reader. Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did and if not, happy 'hunting' for a new one. 

Beware the toaster...

When I first saw the cover of this book I kind of thought it was a joke, you know, a science-fiction book with a comedic twist. As soon as I started reading it I found out my assumption had been wrong. This book is set in the not to distant future and begins at the end of the New War with the artificial intelligence that called itself Archos. A soldier, Cormac, is exterminating the last of remaining bots when he comes across a strange machine. He quickly discovers that this square machine contains a record of the entire war, collected by Archos itself. Cormac decides to make a written record of major events and people so that future generations can see how close humankind came to the brink of destruction and how they fought and clawed their way back.

This book is set up almost exactly like 'World War Z' in that each chapter is an isolated event in the overall build-up and eventual war. There is a core of five or six characters and you leap-frog through their experiences. The book was really good but the dis-jointed nature of the stories made it hard for me to read it for very long periods of time. However, it wouldn't be too long after I put it down that I would be itching to reach for it and read through the next chapter. The 'beware the toaster' comment is just a joke, there are no man-eating toasters in the book. The machines I would never think of though, that killed thousands, were cars. Smart cars, or any car with a computer in it, were used with devastating effectiveness by Archos. Kind of made me think twice when I got into my car this morning.

When kids fail to have fun.....

So what do you do when you realize your kid doesn't know how to have fun and would rather rip apart a great song to show it's non-existent rationality? You expose them to more crazy behavior!

Friday, I checked out the 'Aladdin' soundtrack, which happens to be one of my favorite Disney soundtracks on the planet. My husband, myself, and our thirteen year old daughter are jamming to 'Friend like Me' when our six year old questions one of Genie's lines. While singing, he asks Aladdin "Can your friends do this. Can your friends do that? Can your friends pull this out of their little hats?" So she asks/says matter of factly, "Why does he (Genie) ask him (Aladdin) that? He should know he doesn't have any friends." To which my four year old son replies, "He has a monkey!"

So Genie is the coolest person Aladdin knows now, so what, I figure that Aladdin can say "yes, my friend can do that, 'cause your the guy!" What happened to the good old days when kids didn't read between the lines of lyrics or words and just enjoyed a song for what it is? So here's to hoping my daughter doesn't decide to ask what "Well tonight thank God it's them, instead of you" means because trying to explain that piece of trash lyric will take quite a bit of time that I don't currently have on this page. Happy Monday!

Random thoughts...........

On Christmas day, after you have unwrapped all the presents and goggled down the feast with the family, you should go see a movie. The trailer for the new movie "The Darkest Hour" just came on the television and this thought rolled through my head.

What better way to say Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Man then watching a movie about the end of the world!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Run for your lives...

I've always lived by the motto "Don't annoy the crazy person" and its worked pretty well over the years here at the library. Tonight however, I must have done something our favorite person didn't like because she tossed money at me and then asked my name, first and last, as she walked out. Maybe its because I tried to remind her that she had to pay for everything she copied, even if it didn't turn out right. I think I should have just let it go. If you see me making a bee-line for the workroom, now you know why.

Anything But Vampires

I don't know about you but I'm tired of vampires or anything else paranormal. Every once in a while I just want a book with normal people and a normal story. While the characters in this book were normal people, the story was definitely something different. Eleanor is sixteen, rebelling against her parents, into drinking and drugs....and pregnant. She waits to long to have an abortion even if she wanted to, and now has gotten herself married to her boyfriend and baby's father even though she doesn't even know if that's what she wants. When the summer starts she moves with her husband to her in-laws weight-loss summer camp. She's told she has to be a counselor but she knows nothing about dancing or crafts. To top things off, marriage is not all she expected it to be.

Throughout most of the book I hated Eleanor. She was stubborn and whiny and only thought about herself. She begins to learn how to care about, or at least be aware, of others around her while living at the camp. Of course by the end of the book she comes through but I'll let you read it for yourself to see why.

Trying Something Different

I read a short synopsis of this new YA book in the BWI magazine and found it intriguing. I gave it a try and I can certainly say it is different from anything I've ever read. Jennifer, or J as the character likes to be called, is a girl who has grown up believing that she was really meant to be a boy. She refers to herself as he through out the whole book. J is confused and struggling though, because at seventeen he can no longer easily hide his female aspects. He dresses in baggy clothes and wears two sports bras in an attempt to hide his breasts. He tries to get by with speaking as little as possible because his feminine voice gives him away. His is best friends with a girl named Melissa but he knows he's really in love with her. And this was one of the hardest things for me to wrap my head around. J recoiled at the idea of being called a lesbian. He didn't see himself as gay. He loved Melissa as a man loving a woman. One night though, J goes to far and tries to kiss her. This sets off a downhill journey as J tries to run away and find a way to become what he's always felt inside.

Like I said, this was a very different book with a very different view point. While I don't fully understand it myself, I'm glad we have it in our collection.

Is nothing sacred anymore? (Christmas edition)

Putting aside the fact that Justin Bieber has ruined a pretty decent Christmas song, this video is just a little over the top for the holidays. As if her slutty Santa outfit and red lingerie weren't enough, Mariah still feels the need to feel herself up at 3:34 in the video. Watch it. Yea, you saw that right.

Jessica Rules the Dark Side

Yes!!! It's about time Beth Fantaskey put out a new Jessica book! And we only have to wait until Jan. 10, 2012 to read it!! I discovered the first book "Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Darkside" while serving as a reading tutor. I'm such a dork, that I really liked their struggle and love story in the the first. Lucious is a ruthless jerk that is determined to mold Jessica into what he wants and she is a head strong vegan who refuses to be made into a puppet. 

In this book, she has to help rule a kingdom she knows nothing about and has to get Lucious off a murder charge before he dies.  I can't wait (but I have to so I guess I will. Boo). I'm so excited I may have to find an Orange Julius to celebrate!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

After Obsession

I really enjoy books that take you on a wild ride of "What just happened here?" kind of action and boy does this book deliver. "After Obsession" is based in Mass. where our heroine, Aimee, has supernatural powers that are never fully explained and our hero, Alan (who is the new guy from OK and looks different from all the 'palefaces), taps into his Navajo culture (even though his mother thinks it's a lot of hooey) to try to save the day. They must try to save the town from the River Man who has been kidnapping and ripping apart citizens for at least 100 years.

The plot was good, characters were thought out and there was foreshadowing in this book. My problem was with all the unanswered questions. Where does River Man come from, how do you invite him in, why does Aimee have powers, why did I read this book? Just kidding, I liked that we get Navajo culture in this book. We see a spirit walk and learn about spirit warriors, it's all very fascinating, but we never learn where Aimee or her mom learned or inherited their abilities. (Which by the way is very frustrating).

I would recommend this book because it shows what can happen will you allow a thought or idea to possess you when you obsess over it. It does have two curse words it in, which is a whole lot better than most YA out there today. I definitely liked Alan the best in this book because of the courage and responsibility he shows when it comes to helping others out. I think it's also been set up as a series, so don't obsess too much over the next novel, as I could totally be wrong on that account.

Carrier of the Mark

If you like "Girl moves to a new town and meets  mysterious boy that everyone warns her not to get involved with" (does this sound familiar?) type of stories, then this one is for you.

Meg's father moves yearly because of his profession, but when she moves to Ireland, she finally seems to fit in with new friends and at school. Then she meets Adam, a strange and handsome boy that isn't interested in any school girls until he meets Meg. Over their next few weeks, Meg falls in love with Adam and learns of her destiny in Druid folklore, only to discover that her love for Adam could destroy the world. How many times is this going to happen in teens series? I mean seriously, I get tired of the "Don't hook up! Your spawn will kill us all!" message.

This is the first book from Leigh Fallon and it shows. That's not to say it isn't good, because it was, it's just simplistically written. There is not a lot of foreshadowing, but I think with time, her writing will grow. I really liked the originality of the Druid story line, but the "Edward/Bella" type love story between the two main characters was a little tedious. A prep course in genetics wouldn't be half bad either considering they dive into royal blood lines, carriers, and neutral gene markers.

Over all, I would recommend it as a quick read for an older teen because this couple spends quite a bit of time together (in her room and his) and her father openly recommends premarital sex as being as okay as long as it's with someone special. I say this hoping that older teens realize that waiting is the better option, like Meg, who says they haven't known each other long enough and it's better to wait. (Which all teens believe is the case with any given partner.) Give it a try and let me now what you think.

Do we really need to tell everyone everything?

The Future of Us has an interesting story line that I had to check out for myself. The book is set in 1996 and Emma and Josh are about to load AOL onto a computer for the first time. After they log on however, they find themselves on a mysterious website called 'Facebook'. To their surprise they find the profiles of their future selves. Josh seems to have it made in the future, beautiful wife, big house, but Emma isn't too happy about how things turned out. As soon as she realizes that she's seeing her future self she sets her sights on changing the present in an attempt to create a better life.

This was a quick read and the story was definitely different. Their reactions to Facebook made me think though. They couldn't understand why people were posting things that seemed very personal for anyone to read. It seems natural today to post almost anything on Facebook, maybe even things that you wouldn't say in person but are easy to type out. But sometimes we really don't need to know every little detail of what's going on in someone's life. Some things are just better left unsaid. Besides, what do you talk about when you get together with your friends if you've already posted anything interesting that's happened to you on Facebook? From now on I know I'll think twice before posting a status update about every inane thought that comes to mind.

Is nothing sacred anymore?

If you're anything like me, (and hopefully you're not) you have a mortal fear of dentistry. I mean, who in their right mind wants to stick their fingers in peoples mouths all day. Bleack! My fear is so great that I obsess for days about having to go, what they're going to say, and how much work I'm going to have done. I have worn headphones to the dentist since I was 15. At some point I will either have hearing damage from my music or mouth cancer from all the x-rays. As a child my molars would grow in with cavities and I don't even want to think of what I've spent over the years. Probably enough for a 8 month vacation to Forks, WA.

Unfortunately, I had to go for a cleaning today which went really well when they finally decided to call me back. I arrived at the standard fifteen minutes before my appointment time of 12 pm, hoping to get called back early and make it back to the library without burning too much sick time. After checking in, I started a new YA book (Dead is Not an Option) and waited. And waited. And waited. Suddenly, my patient "waiting/reading to pass the fear time" is interrupted.

The man sitting across from me asks out of the blue, "Did you go see that new vampire movie yet?" To which I replied, "Yes, I saw it at midnight on Thursday night." What gave me away? Was my Twilight bag, various Twilight/Vampire buttons, Bella hat (that I crocheted to match her's in Eclipse), or my "I heart Fangs" button on my jacket. I continued to answer his questions and complaints about the film, specifically that they ended it wrong. I informed him that they ended it the same way the chapter ends in the book and that they had to cut the movie in two somewhere. At this, he got up and walked away. Don't mess with a Twerd, you'll never win.

At this break, I decided to ask if my dentist was running behind (it's 12:10 by this time). "No," the receptionist replied, "They'll be to get you in a minute." So I sit back down and continue to read. Not two minutes later a woman and her screaming three year old have a seat and fight for the next twenty minutes. I couldn't hear myself think, let alone read. He's so loud that I hear the pharmacy window slam shut and the tech yell, "I can't hear my phone call over that." And yes, I did say twenty minutes later a second ago. It is now 12:30 and my nerves are shot. I just want to get this over with and get out of here!! Right as I get ready to reschedule, the hygienist calls me back.

"What kept you? Was 12 to early?,"  nice hygiene lady asks me. Excuse me? Is she accusing me of being late? One thing you should know is that I am NEVER late to an appointment. People's time is valuable, which is why appointments are made and confirmed. "No, I've been waiting here for 40 minutes to be called back," is my reply because I'm too mad to say anything else. "Well, the receptionist said you just got here, so I came to get you, you don't need to be back at work soon do you?" Again, is my time not sacred enough, or is theirs just more important?

By the time I get into the chair, remind her that the polish will kill me if they use it because it's dyed red, tell her I need to get back to work, get my teeth cleaned with toothpaste (which I do twice a day already), and have my ear drums blown out by Muse, my fear is no where to be found. Can I not come to the dentist like a scared little girl anymore? It's the only response I know. I don't know how to act like a good quiet patient. Huh, maybe I can grow up after all.

And hopefully the next time I return, screaming demon child will have grown up a little more too and not be hitting his mommy anymore and Mr. "I know how all movies should be made" will pick up a book and learn what really goes on in a story. And maybe, just maybe the cosmos will decide next time to let me keep my reading interrupted, my hearing in one piece, and my fear in complete and utter chaos, as is how all things should be.

Breaking Dawn is Breaking Down

Well, for starters, in my humble, yet vampire obsessed opinion, "Breaking Dawn" was a really good movie (for what it is mind you). That being said, it was definitely better than the last three films, especially if you take Jasper's hair into account. Taylor Lautner did a great job of portraying Jacob's mixed bag of emotions while Rob Pattinson pulls off a pretty good vampire in shock. And giddy up can we say that Kristin Stewart actually acted in this one? Yes we can. I offended a lady at the movie the other night after commenting that Bella looked like a Stepford wife in all the advertising and that I hoped she did a better job in this one. She actually got up and moved two seats down from me! The movie was shot well and the screenwriters actually stuck to the book with this movie, except for one scene, but it worked. Oh well.....anyway.

If you are a Twihard mom in her forties who likes to lust after men half your age, this movie is for you! Taylor takes off his shirt...again and we also get to see Rob (Whoot! Whoot!) in swim trunks.

If you are a Twihard teen that believes a real Edward is out there with all the money and love in the world to take away your problems and has the ability to make you live forever, I have a newsflash for you...get used to disappointment! No man on planet Earth is EVER going to live up to Edward's level of adoration for Bella, however, this movie is for you...apparently.

So enjoy the movie and like me go see it few more times, buy the DVD when it comes out, and curse the film maker that decided it would be a good idea to wait a year to release the last movie. Until then, enjoy Damon Salvatore every Thursday night on the CW!

Hell hath frozen over

I am not an electrician.....

I had a gentleman call today to inform me that he was "sitting in his car in our parking lot" watching our sliding door act 'erratically.' I told him it was probably off track or had water on the sensor from where it has been raining and that I would take a look at it. Apparently this was not good enough because he informed me that if I didn't fix it, the motor would burn out and then we wouldn't have a door to open or close anymore. I'm sorry, but are doors irreplaceable now or am I just supposed to know everything in the magical world of electricity. Maybe I should give Bill Nye a call. (BTW, it was just water on the sensor and a cleaning cloth fixed the problem)

Lame Patron Humor

Me: Can I help you?
Patron: I'm beyond help, but I do have a question.

The Hunger Games

Have you read this book? If not, you have until March 23 to catch up with the rest of us. Endicott recommended this book to me this past fall and I didn't know if I'd like it because the cover just wasn't speaking to me. However, once I picked it up, I didn't put it down, now my mom is hooked and it won't be too long before my dad is either (hello can we say "Harry Potter?). And as a side note, I will be blessing/cursing my next pet with the name Katniss. And just in case you want a peek a boo into the games, here you go :) Enjoy!www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S9a5V9ODuY

I still can't get over how great this book was. If you like King you should pick it up. For all you audiobook listeners, hopefully we'll get it in that format too. For now here's a link (I hope) to an interview that he did. I listened to the first ten minutes of it and found it interesting. I need to go back and listen to the whole thing. One question the interviewer asked King was about his choice of title. King explained that to his generation, November 22, 1963 was like the current generation's 9/11. It's just a date that everyone recognized and immediately knew what it referred to. I'm sure I'll learn more interesting facts when I finish listening to the interview.
Stephen King interview on Q

A past life.......

The days are getting shorter, the nights longer and I still don't feel like I get enough sleep. This has me sure that I must have been a bear in a past life.

Apparently at my house "quoth the raven nevermore" applies in more way than one

Saturdays at the library, how I loathe thee.

The Hangman's Daughter

Are you tired of all the vampires and young adult fiction? Don't get me wrong, I'm loving FYA but every once in awhile I need something...more. This book first caught my eye because of the cool cover and curious title. The book is set in Bavaria in the mid 1600s and shows how one town reacts to accusations of witchcraft against their local midwife after a child is found dead with a questionable mark on his shoulder. The main character is the Hangman himself. He and his family are shunned by the town but at the same time he is afforded a certain amount of respect, probably out of fear. He is certain that the midwife is innocent of any wrong-doing and so begins to investigate the death. This book is a mystery story at it's core and leaves you guessing right until the end.

I really liked this book and I think it had a lot to do with the setting. I can't remember reading a book set in the middle ages, unless you count fantasy books which usually have settings that emulate the era. The Hangman is a fascinating character and I enjoyed reading about how he approached the profession, and what the profession was like at this time.

This feels like a fifth grade book report but I don't have much more to say about the book. I just wanted everyone to be aware that it's out there in our library!

Sometimes we need education too!

While fighting for the education of America is great, we humble librarians need some schooling ourselves. Just yesterday while filling out a holds notification, I got distracted by a phone call and instead of inserting the customer name, I wrote the book title on the name line. So my letter began something like this: "Dear Child of Darkness, we have the item you requested through this date, Thank you, The Library." Who wants to be thought of as the spawn of Satan. "Sorry Mrs. Child of Darkness, but we really don't like you or your attitude, please return to the pit from whence you came." Could you imagine that typo not being caught and a customer actually receiving it? It really pays to have spell check and to proofread EVERYTHING you write.