Daily: Thursday 13: The Library and the Students

As a librarian I have notice quite a few things, especially the students antics within the library. Let me share a few.

1. "Catch-Up Conversation Periods" For most students, the library periods has become a slot for them to talk about what they watch last night or talk about the latest gossips and etc. Regardless the other students are trying to study.
2. "If she can see you, she can't hear you." Yeah.. what's with that. Did they forget we librarians have ears? It's un nerving when you looked at them and these obviously groups of students sitting in what was supposed to be 2 seat carrell, just look down on the floor or just looked spacey-faced and pretended they are not talking when you turn to look at their direction..
3. "Flipped a book. Done reading." Some students would just pull out out a book, flips through the pages quickly, and "officially" say done reading. err.. wonder if these students have robotic scanning eyes or just plain lazy.
4. "Can't finish a 10 page but I just pull a 500 pg book instead." o..k... I do't have to explain how that is.
5. Sweetwrappers. There is ALWAYS sweetwrappers laying around regardless there's a bin ready for them.
6. "Pull two books for a 30 mins reading slot" I understand thin ones.. but thick ones?
7. Book stealing: why steal when you can borrow it?
8. Library couples: students having liasons... mmm...
9. Confusing directions? Photocopy instructions. Why is it whenever I say "up", they go looking for the button on the "left" instead?
10. Short attention spans? I see students pulling a book, read for 5 secs, stand up, change to another book, repeat & rinse.
11. Leaving books on the table or reshelving it in a different place. Ok... we have these place holder system, where they could mark the place of the books they pulled out. Laziness leveled up a notch I supposed?
12. Returning books at the "Borrowing Counter" instead of "Returning Counter". I don't have to tell you.
13. Can we borrow yet? School libraries has this "no borrowing" system in some days of the year, and of course, we keep having this questions when those period comes. What annoys me is, when we opened circullation and they don't borrow at all. What's up with that?

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Teaser Tuesday

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  
  

Billy made a face at his son. "And, of course, Jacob was anxious to see Bella again," he added.

~ pg. 237; Twilight (Stephenie Meyer)

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In the mail

Ghost Huntress Book 1: The Awakening;
by Marley Gibson

The first in a trilogy. Get out your tape recorders, crystals, and extra batteries— you’re about to go where our world meets the spirit world.

Psychic Kids, Paranormal State, Haunting Evidence—these and countless other television shows are making believers out of millions of people: Ghosts exist, and they’re living right beside us. For centuries, individuals have been trying to prove the existence of ghosts. But without hard evidence, it’s been difficult to make the case. But now as science and technology have progressed, ghost hunters have been able to use scientific means, along with more traditional psychic tools, to make their case. Photographs, video recordings, and sound recordings are all producing some amazing results.In this new series, Ghost Huntress, meet Kendall Moorehead, a seemingly typical teen. When her family moves from Chicago to the small historical town of Radisson, Georgia, her psychic abilities awaken. She’s hearing, feeling, and seeing things that seem unbelievable at first, but with the help of the town psychic, Kendall is able to come to terms with her newly emerging gift. So, together with her new BFF, Celia, Kendall forms a ghost hunting team. They’ve got all the latest technology. They’ve got Kendall for their psychic. Now they’re going to clean up Radisson of its less savory spirits.The story is fiction. The science is real. Welcome to a new reality.

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I want Meme

1. I want to finish reading Twilight and the rest of the books in the saga so I could continue reading the Dresden Files.
2. I want to finish doing the stockbooks so I can finally relax
3. I want everybody loves reading like I do
4. I want to change the system for the better

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Book Review: Twilight (Twilight 1); By Stephenie Meyer

I was actually turned off from reading this because I heard it is written so amateurish and I might not like it. But then again a friend a work and a few others, started pressuring me to read the saga, so I caved in. I found out the storyline and some of the conversations are much too familiar to and very much some what mirrors my relationship in real life, that I almost wonder if she might have eavesdropped. Hence the reason why it pulled me into reading this book.

Due to lack of action within this book itself, it kind of dull the reason to read this book in the first place. But I guess, due to the simple storyline itself, it would make it as an easy reading material to read for advanced readers like myself.

Characters are divided into 2, humans and monsters. the humans are too.. um naive. and the vampires are mellow. Action only comes in the 1/4 last part of the book and too much high school stuff is going on in the 3/4 of book. Call me old fashion, I don’t really like sparkly glittery vampires.

As a librarian, I recommend this book to the high school students (seniors). Juniors and Sophomores may read if their parents think their teenagers are up to it.

First Words. I’d Never given much thought to how I die-though I’d had reason enough in the last few months – but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this.

Quote. I like the night. Without the dark, wed never see the stars.

Twilight (Twilight #1)
By Stephenie Meyer

Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife-between desire and danger.Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

Finished Reading: 22nd April 2009
Acquire: 08th August 2007
Rate } ♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Paranormal Romance | Supernatural | Urban Fantasy
Release Day }  05th October 2005
Publisher } Little, Brown and Company
Format } Paperback
ISBN } 9780316015844
Pages } 498 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Awards }
- An ALA/YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2006)
- New York Times Bestsellers (Children Chapter, 2005)
- Publisher’s Weekly Best Book (2005)

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Meme!

Got this one from Mrs. Peel

1. Most treasured childhood book(s)?
Oliver Twist. King Arthur. Sherlock Holmes

2. Classic(s) you are embarrassed to admit you’ve never read?
The Picture of Dorian Gray.

3. Classics you read, but hated?
Don't have one yet.

4. Favorite genre(s)?
Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction, Young Adults

5. Favorite light reading?
Any Youn Adult and Children Books.

6. Favorite heavy reading?
Jim Butcher

7. Last book(s) you finished?
The Diary Of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules; By Jeff Kinney

8. Last book(s) you bailed on?
It's been a very long time since I've bailed on one.

9. Three (only three!) books on your nightstand?
Twilight by Stephanie Meyers, Black House by Stephen King, The Princess Academy

10. Book(s) you’ve read more than once, twice or three times?
Harry Potter Series, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Nightmare Series, etc...

11. The book(s) that meant the most to you when you were younger (ie, college/young adult)?Oliver Twist

12. Book(s) that changed the way you looked at life?
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, Blubber

13. Book(s) some would be surprised to know you’ve read?
The Beauty Trilogy From Anne Rice

14. Book(s) You Mean to Read this Year?
The whole series of The Dresden Files Series

15. Desert Island Book?
The Dresden Files

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'Empire of the Sun' author Ballard dies at 78

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_obit_jg_ballard

R.I.P

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Sunday Salon: Reading Helps...

I had a really long week and I doubt it would lightened up for the few until May is over. I just found out how reading has become a golden opportunity and that really annoys me. I have this schedule where I have to read at least 30 minutes to an hour or more depends on the day it is, and as swamped I am currently at work, it is messing now messing up my reading scheldule to doing it (if I'm lucky) at least once per week! That is not acceptable to my standard!.

More over, I found out I am also stressed out from all of my work.

A couple of days ago, I ended up taking a reading break. Guess what! It worked! my stress just evaportaed into thin air. (well not all, half probably) Though I just want to abandon everything (which I can't) and just read.

I fixed that problem by getting myself this digital table clock. You know, the one that has it's own countdown alarm. I've setted it up to a 30 mins reading break and although it's hard to put the book down when the alarm screamed out. I just gave myself a treat by finishing the chapter instead.

Oh well.. beggars can't be choosers I supposed.

Reading for Darfur:
Ok, I just found this site called Book Wish Foundation where we can donate to the needs of the children living in crisis worldwide. One of the projects of this foundation, is to provide reading material for the people & children living in Darfur (that's Sudan if you don't know where).

I feel for the need to spread literacy to whoever I could reach it to. And that's not because I am a librarian either!




I'll leave the post off with the books I just acquired this week =D

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What's in a Name 2 Challenge

*This is a challenge that anyone can join, no matter what types of books they like to read. You should be able to find books from any genre that will work.

*Dates: January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009

*The Challenge: Choose one book from each of the following categories.

1. A book with a "profession" in its title. Examples might include: The Book Thief, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Historian

2. A book with a "time of day" in its title. Examples might include: Twilight, Four Past Midnight, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

3. A book with a "relative" in its title. Examples might include: Eight Cousins, My Father's Dragon, The Daughter of Time

4. A book with a "body part" in its title. Examples might include: The Bluest Eye, Bag of Bones, The Heart of Darkness

5. A book with a "building" in its title. Examples might include: Uncle Tom's Cabin, Little House on the Prairie, The Looming Tower

6. A book with a "medical condition" in its title. Examples might include: Insomnia, Coma, The Plague

Details:
http://whatsinaname-2.blogspot.com/2008/10/welcome.html


My Choices:
1. Profession: The Composer is Dead; Lemony Snicket (27 March 2009)
2. Time of Day: Twilight; Stephenie Meyer (22 April 2009)
3. Relative:
4. Body Part:
5. Building:
6. Medical condition: Grave Peril; Jim Butcher (26 Feb 2009)

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules; Jeff Kinney

Finished Reading: 11th April 2009
Reviewed By: Liza the Librarian


This is the second book from the latest popular "teen" series called "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". This series has been haunting me for a while (not to mention it has been in my wishlist since it was in the top ten list everywhere I looked). I jumped at the opportunity when I saw it on sale at Best Eastern, Gadong (a local bookstore); to get a copy of it. True to its name, what I've stumbled through the pages of this book, is a written form of a diary. Every chapter is a day to day entry by Greg Heffley, who is often ridiculed by his brother for owning a diary though it is a project provided by his mother, who has made him do a year before. (which refers to the first book).

Greg is the protagonist and also the narrator of the series. He writes down his thoughts and his daily happenings within daily, which either makes you go "aww...." or "o...k" or just plainly makes you laugh. From homework, to girls, school, family and of course everyday odd thing that come along once a while. What tickled me is the way he tries to reason things right for every one of his action, some reasonable and some just absolutely hilarious. For example, his reaction when his mother joined him and his friends in a role-playing game of Magic and Monsters just because his mother is concerned with the "violence" within the game. And when Greg played a trick on one of his classmate where they all pretended he doesn't exist. Then, there's a party hosted by his big brother, Rodrick, when their parents are away, and he was guilt into becoming Rodrick's accomplice.... some what.

To make book more interesting is the way Jeff incorporate comics within every pages, playing the field where pictures could tell a story for itself. There are more to this book where anyone in any age would enjoy. Even the most studborn non-readers would love to finish reading this series.

Things I've enjoyed: Reading on how Greg's mind works. it's a hilarious book that won't slow down in any page.

Things I didn't enjoy: Knowing I started from the second book instead of the first.

Reason for reading: I was curious with all of the hype.

Rating: Pretty high. Ages from 9+

Recommends to: Ages from 9+. There's no offensive words or scenes and it is pretty much an easy book to read.

Publisher: Amulet Books
Date: January 2008
Format: Paperback
Genre: Graphic Novel, Humor
Series: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Author Web Site: Jeff Kinney

Product Description:
The highly anticipated sequel to the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling book!

Secrets have a way of getting out, especially when a diary is involved.

Whatever you do, don't ask Greg Heffley how he spent his summer vacation, because he definitely doesn't want to talk about it.

As Greg enters the new school year, he's eager to put the past three months behind him . . . and one event in particular.

Unfortunately for Greg, his older brother, Rodrick, knows all about the incident Greg wants to keep under wraps. But secrets have a way of getting out . . . especially when a diary is involved.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules chronicles Greg's attempts to navigate the hazards of middle school, impress the girls, steer clear of the school talent show, and most important, keep his secret safe.

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