Librarian in the Living Room

Growing up in a nonreligious but somewhat spiritual family, denominations of severity were always intriguing to me. My friends in my predominantly Italian hometown of Youngstown, Ohio were catholics, sometimes taking me to their church, me inadvertently shocking them by taking communion without ever having been baptised. I did not know as a 13 year old nonreligious girl studying the world religions and philosophies for fun that taking communion as the heathen everyone saw me as was wrong … would I go to this hell place?

The Jehovah’s Witnesses were always something of deep mystery to me. It was as if they knew not to come to our porch,ring our doorbell, knowing perhaps that they would be greeeted with blank but intirgued stares and definitely not converts. As a teen girl, though, watching cute teenage boys in shortsleeve buttondowns, neckties, loafers, and pleated khakis was nice. And it didn’t surprise me that they didn’t talk to me, give me a glance, since no other boy in those torturous years did either. But I wanted them to bring me The Watchtower. Yeah, I really wanted that, their sweaty, peachfzz upper lips glistening in my eyes while they described my needing to be saved, be a part of them like breath so that I would not burn for eternity.

But I watched MTV with an addictive spirit, especially Headbanger’s Ball, Yo MTV Raps, and 120 Minutes as these shows were church … my religion … and that lovely Adam Curry was my god, preacher, and daily bread. These boys, like the little cocain-snorting blossoming bankers’ sons at school, wouldn’t like me either.

Abrahams’ book is touching, amazing, and laugh-at-high-decibal funny. My love Don was a bit ill at ease to hear me laughing hysterically in the airport, the airplane as we headed toward our Jamaican dreams.

And now as I read the macabre novel, Darkly Dreaming Dexter I sometimes wish to return to such a fun read with dark moments, yes (as is always a part of any intense religion), wanting to read it again to try to stave off my current night terrors. Last night, even with Don by my side, I dreamed of an elaborate plan of embalming live bodies, their shoes lined up like lozenges in a tin in the winter, everything so cold, hard, and wrong. Horribly wrong. And, as always, I was a reluctant partner in this darkness, unable to save myself or those surrounding me.

So, yes, a funny book … A GOOD THING! And this book’s got it ALL! And All … And all … Hallejueuh, amen!

This year’s Teen Summer Reading Club, Express Yourself @ Your Library will be my swan song. I am off to Chicago August 1st, thus leaving my position as Teen Services Librarian on Friday, July 24th. I will be attending beginning my studies for a Masters in Modern Art History, Theory, and Criticism at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. This change is exciting, bittersweet. I will greatly miss my teens at the library and my job in general. So, that said, with this year’s Summer Reading theme being art and expression, very timely.

The above picture is me, from the back facing what is supposed to be (at least conceptually) a museum wall — hence my kickoff program, “Fit for a Museum Self-Portraits.” I wish I could take the cred for this, but it was inspired by the current issue of Readymade magazine (April / May 2009). I want to share this because it is not only an inexpensive and fun craft (at least we are doing it on the cheap — old wallpaper, digital photos printed, and cardboard or small canvases to glue them to) that the teens will most likely enjoy …

Especially when you offer to scan them a JPG for their Facebook page!

It has been some time since I mourned the end of a novel, but I did so with Moody’s book, Hater. This book is very individual to Moody, but it is also a nod to end of the world storytelling and even a nod to the zombie narrative. This is NOT a zombie novel, but the permeating rage and blood thirst present in the book, especially the last half of it, conjured up zombie parallels, but Moody’s world is truly unique.

Hater shows us a world where hate is not only fast becoming the ruler of the day, but it seems to be a cycle that will never be broken.

The first half of the book follows the mundane life of the narrator whose head we will be inside of for the entire novel. The progression, the odd evolution even, of the winding down of life as we know it gives the novel a great pace, as well as a life span that captivated as it terrified me.

The sequel to Hater, entitled, Dog Blood, will be released in 2010.

Read more about Moody’s great unknown to author story and more at: http://www.djmoody.co.uk/

Caveat Emptor: I truly mean nothing horrible toward fallen drama students, rennies, and Monty Python enthusiasts in the following review:

Dear Fallen Drama Students, Rennie, and Monty Python Fans,

You will likely truly enjoy Christopher Moore’s new book, Fool. I have been waiting for this book for what feels like forever, but I could only make it halfway through and that was a bit disappointing. Let me first say, sometimes stereotypes are true. I have found fallen drama students, Rennies, and Monty Python fans to be three stereotypes that have more often than not turned out to be true in my experiences of them — that feeling of wanting to visibly grit my teeth when I hear say a fallen drama student turned Rennie quoting Monty Python in my face (and seemingly most often when I can least deal with such behavior) … this was my feeling in reading Moore’s Fool.

As much against my nature as it is to stop midway through a novel, especially a novel by a favorite author, I had to stop if I wanted to keep my teeth. And my sanity. I see this book being wildly successful with great reason, but like Monty Python, Rennies and fallen drama students screaming for the spotlight in the middle of the grocery store, I just end up feeling irritated and that I am missing a great joke everyone else seems to be getting. But also being a fan of Shakespeare’s King Lear I was excited to read Moore’s modern-day, crackpot version, but this aspect was either flat or trying too hard to be a homage / satire / modern take on the Shakespearean tragedy.

I wait anxiously for Mr. Moore’s next book.

The moment in current literature I have been waiting for … and haven’t we all? May we all learn some wonderful new colorful bad words from our Mr. Moore.

So in my capacity as Teen Services Librarian, I thought it would be fun to begin an embroidery club. But I had to learn myself! For years, I have wanted to learn to embroider and have looked at many, many how-to books and blogs and felt, frankly, uninspired and still fearing the needle. Until now. Jenny Hart’s book is absolutely heaven sent. The instructions for beginners are very easy to follow and the patterns are amazing! I just completed my sexy librarian embroidery and am working on some cat patterns and pinups. Hart’s books have great patterns … defiinitely hip and updated while still possessing the wonder of vintage embroidery. A warning — once you start, you may find it tough to stop. No cotton fabric is safe from my hoop and needle! And, dear friends, expect embroidered gifts by the droves! Kitties for you, Anna. Pinups and Librarians for you, Love … there is something for everyone!

For more info, go to Hart’s webpage: http://sublimestitching.com/

And buy the books … equipped with inspriation, easy how-to in engaging writing, and reusable iron-on patterns!

Have fun …! And good luck trying to stop!

My first piece:

Tea towels are on the list as well as a skirt of mine that needs a little creative love.

Elizabeth Scott’s teen novel, Living Dead Girl, is a story narrated by a teenaged girl who has been violated by the man who kidnapped her and made her his own for years. The story has been done again and again, but it is still always a story that needs to be explored, and this is a book Scott has written with a fresh and sincere emotion and language. The book is largely very good, the ending however reeks of flatness and a “I need to finish before my deadline” sentiment. But Scott’s voice for “Alice” is true and heartfelt. Characters other than Alice are rather flat, but this seems somewhat purposeful considering the subject of the story.

The chapters are short and read very fast, so it is a great pick for reluctant teen readers who like true-life fiction like Anne Sebold’s Lucky and the work of Ellen Hopkins. The book is graphic in its raw emotional narrative, but not explicit sexually without purpose. This is a good book for adults to read before recommending to individual teens because of its complexity. Living Dead Girl should be read by mature teens who seek books with societal messages and desire empathy, compassion, and understanding as a message in their reading.

Simon Holt’s teen thriller, The Devouring is an engaging and captivating tale that has so much going for it. There is the supernatural mystery element and some gore to keep horror fan teens reading. The story shows the importance of true relationships for teens – a necessity in their MySpacey cyber friend world.

The writing is fast-paced enough to even hook reluctant teen readers.

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday!

Buy your holiday gifts at www.carriemcgath.com!

Small Murders, Ward Eighty-One available for purchase with the ease of PayPal. Limited-Edition ArtPoems signed by author available beginning 12/14/08.