February 15, 2011

YA books to film...good idea? bad idea?


I've been hearing rumblings about this for awhile, but now it seems like it's official. Summit Entertainment is bringing Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower to the screen. Not only that, but it will star Ms. Hermione Granger herself, Emma Watson as well as Mr. Percy Jackson, Logan Lerman.

I have mixed feelings about this. I mean, bringing teen novels to the screen is nothing new. Harry Potter, anyone? Filmmakers' success in doing so, however, seems a bit of a mixed bag. I'll give you an example.

For years after reading Annette Curtis Klause's Blood and Chocolate, I thought it would make a great film. I even toyed with the idea of creating a screenplay myself but am far too lazy to embark on such a quest. Imagine my delight when I heard that it was finally being made into a movie. Imagine my dismay when I actually saw the film. Soooo disappointing! Soooo bad.

On the other hand, I think that Peter Sollett did an excellent job directing the film version of Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. Michael Cera and Kat Dennings really brought Nick and Norah to life so much so that I think I actually enjoy the film more than the book.

So I'll look forward to The Perks of Being a Wallflower with a grain of salt. If you haven't yet had the chance to read it, I recommend you do so before the film, good or bad, comes to town. There's something special about reading a story before seeing its adaptation on screen. But that's a conversation for another time.

If you'd like to see what book/film pairings the Library has, take a gander here. Otherwise I'd love to hear what some of your favorite adaptations are.

February 8, 2011

Tiger's Curse


by Colleen Houck
Coming soon to WPPL!
402 p. 2011 Fiction
Grade: A


Tiger's Curse steps into a reality that is modern day, but with magic from the past. Curses, traps and prophecies are everywhere, especially when it comes to a prince who has betrayed his younger brother over a girl.

Now, roughly 500 years later, the person who yields the key to the Buddhist curse has arrived. What will happen when this person, Kelsey, finds out that her beloved tiger, Ren, is the cursed prince? Better yet, what's going to happen between Kelsey and Ren when they both find out Ren can turn back into his human form for selected amounts of time per day? Will anything grow between them when they are constantly fighting for their lives against mythological creatures? Tiger's Curse is the first volume in The Tiger Saga.

Reviewed by teen volunteer Maggie K.

The Librarian Chick says, "Check out the book trailer below!"

February 3, 2011

Teenage brain trapped in old(ish) woman

While scouring the stacks for moldy, oldy books I could get rid of to make room for shiny new ones, I stopped to peruse I Can't Keep My Own Secrets. This cool little book is full of 6-word memoirs written by "teens famous and obscure." So, yeah, I'm not a teen. I thought it would be fun to include mine in the subject line anyway.

Here were some of my favorites:

Told you I'd be published someday! - Kay A.

First I hone; then I pwn. - Dan G.

Living my dream; please sent money. - Brittney L.

Aspiration: colonize Mars. You're not invited. Jordan H.

I never got my Hogwarts letter. - Deanna H.

Dan saved my life; doesn't know. - Stephanie H.

Take me back to swings, fireflies. Cimara D.

Views on love, life, universe: TBA. - Charlotte T.



What would your six-word memoir be?