Book Review: Godless

Godless by Pete Hautman

SUMMARY: Fed up with his parents' boring old religion, agnostic-going-on-atheist Jason Bock invents a new god--the town's water tower. He recruits an unlikely group of worshippers: his snail-farming best friend, Shin, cute-as-a-button Magda Price, and the violent and unpredictable Henry Stagg. As their religion grows, it takes on a life of its own. While Jason struggles to keep the faith pure, Shin obsesses over writing their bible, and the explosive Henry schemes to make the new faith even more exciting--and dangerous. When the Chutengodians hold their first ceremony high atop the dome of the water tower, things quickly go from merely dangerous to terrifying and deadly. Jason soon realizes that inventing a religion is a lot easier than controlling it, but control it he must, before his creation destroys both his friends and himself.

OPINION: I like conventional religions. I am part of one myself. But that doesn't stop me from wondering why we believe what we do. I mean, how did it all start? Did Jesus know that people would still be talking about him 2000 years later? Did Buddha intend to have devotees all over the world? Did Mohammed think that his teachings would be handed down in a holy book? What about newer religions, or older ones that celebrities make popular? In Godless, Jason and a few friends worship "The Ten-Legged One," write its holy book, and even have special cermonies on top of the tower. But that doesn't mean their parents, friends, or the local police force are also believers. Many people struggle with issues of faith, but this book takes questions about religion to a whole new level.

RELATED INFORMATION: Recently, a man fed up with the Intelligent Design debate demanded that his satirical religion, Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, be taught in Kansas schools alongside the theory of evoluion. Visit his personal website, or check out the Wikipedia article about his religion!

Book Review: Uglies

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

SUMMARY: Tally is about to turn 16, and she can't wait. Not for her license--for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your 16th birthday brings an operation that turns into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world--and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever. (adapted from the back cover)

OPINION: This book is 425 pages long, but I couldn't stop reading it! The idea of a dystopian future based on appearances is really creepy. If you think we are brainwashed to aspire toward unreal body images now, then you will be absolutely stunned by the practices in this book and the society it creates. Don't think it's like a sermon, though. There is plenty of action and adventure (and lots of plot twists) to keep your interest. Think it would be nice to be gorgeous? Think again...

NOTES: This is the first book in a trilogy. The second book, Pretties, is out now, but the final volume, Specials, hasn't even been announced yet. : ( If you like Scott Westerfeld's writing, look for So Yesterday, Peeps, and the Midnighters trilogy at the library! Also, check out Scott Westerfeld's website and blog.

Winter Teen Schedule

Hey Everyone!

The TAB is thinking about events for the months of January, February, and March. Here are some ideas for winter teen events:

• Monopoly Tournament
• Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament
• Anti-Valentine's Day Party
• Karaoke and Donkey Konga Night
• DDR Party
• Dr. Seuss program for younger kids

Do you have any more ideas? Respond to this post, email Gretchen, or talk to Gretchen in the children's room!

A Few Photos

Here are a few photos from 70s night that were on my camera. The rest will be up when our guest, Nancy Trimbur, gets her film developed. Thanks to Nancy for taking a whole roll of film at 70s night!!

Platform shoes!

Punk lives.

Can you dig it?

Book Review: Invisible

Invisible by Pete Hautman

SUMMARY: Lots of people think Doug Hanson is a freak--he gets beat up after school and the girl of his dreams calls him a worm. Doug's only refuge is building elaborate model trains in his basement and hanging out with his best friend, Andy Morrow. Andy is nothing like Doug: He's a popular football star who could date any girl in school. Despite their differences, Doug and Andy talk about everything--except what happened at the Tuttle place a few years back. As Doug retreats deeper and deeper into his own world, long-buried secrets come to light--and the more he tries to keep them invisible, the looser his grip on reality becomes. (excerpted from the inside flap)

OPINION: This book is only 149 pages long. You can easily read it in under 2 hours, and you won't be able to put it down. From the beginning, you know Dougie is messed up. But you have no idea exactly how much until the very last page. Don't think you know what will happen in this book because the plot twists just keep coming. This book may be a contender for the Printz award this year, so read it now before the rush!

Arthurian Reads

In case you didn't pick up the list last night, here are some books that draw on the legend of King Arthur. Look for them next time you visit the library!

HISTORICAL

• Sword of the Rightful King: A Novel of King Arthur by Jane Yolen
• The Dragon's Boy: A Novel of Young King Arthur by Jane Yolen
• A String in the Harp by Nancy Bond
• The Once and Future King by T. H. White
• The Book of Merlyn by T. H. White
• Ard Righ: The Sword on the Stone by Ray Cattie
• I Am Mordred: A Tale from Camelot by Nancy Springer
• I Am Morgan Le Fay: A Tale from Camelot by Nancy Springer
• The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

SERIES

• The Seeing Stone, At the Crossing-Places, and King of the Middle March by Kevin Crossley-Holland
• The Winter Prince, A Coalition of Lions, and The Sunbird by Elizabeth E. Wein
• The Lost Years of Merlin, The Seven Songs of Merlin, The Fires of Merlin, The Mirror of Merlin, and The Wings of Merlin by T. A. Barron

MODERN

• The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Richard Yancey
• The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

You Have Chosen Wisely!

Tonight, 27 teens came to Camelot Night, which was really great! We watched short movie clips from the movie musical Camelot, the action flick Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and the comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. We also talked about the legend of King Arthur, staged swordfights, designed Chex Mix castles, gave prizes for costumes, took pictures with Kara's posable knight, ate theme food, and had a holy grail contest. Cool thing: Giselle came back to visit us, which was totally fabulous!! Thanks to the TAB for all of their hard work and planning for this event, and for hanging in there when we had to cancel and reschedule it! Also, the library's Friday night staff deserves big thanks for helping me clean up.

Camelot Night

Don't forget that Camelot Night is this Friday from 6:30 to 8:30! This event was planned for last August, but had to be cancelled and rescheduled because of the air conditioning issue. So now we are ready to go! The TAB has been working hard on this event, and it should be a lot of fun.

Remember to wear your costume! Any medieval-themed outfit will do. Think royalty, knights, peasants, Arthurian legends, or Catholic church. You could even come as a Monty Python-esque witch, coconut, or shrubbery!!

70s Flashback!

If you need to get in the mood for 70s night, try to catch some of the What's Happening? marathon on the TV Land cable channel this weekend. It starts at 6 a.m. tomorrow and goes until 6 a.m. Monday! Outta sight!!