It's Midnight Somewhere...

Definitely went to the premiere of Catching Fire last night. With my sister and brother.

And guess what? I didn't even have to stay up until 3am! 8 o'clock premiere, baby! And let me tell you, I'm never going back. You not only get to go to bed at a decent hour, but also see the movie before the other "die-hard" fans do at midnight! As we passed the line in the theater leaving around 10:30, I said again how glad I was we did 8pm.

*caution: there may be spoilers ahead*

So how was the movie? Long. Don't get me wrong, I wanted it to be long. I was sorry when it was over. But I definitely felt the length. There was a slow buildup to the Quarter Quell, and as in the first movie, you could really feel Katniss's desperation as she entered the arena. This was intensified as Katniss watched Cinna be attacked as she ascended to the arena, unable to do anything but scream and pound on the glass.

I can't emphasize this enough: Jennifer Lawrence is stunning. She is so perfect for conveying Katniss's fear, rage, defiance, and stubbornness. There was more of a love triangle than in the first movie, but I didn't really mind that. I felt it stayed true to the book. There was a moment where you could see Gale excited about rebellion, definitely foreshadowing for Mockingjay.

I am such a sucker for Peeta. He is strong in ways Katniss is not. She needs him so she doesn't fall apart. And he is so patient with her. Josh Hutcherson's eyes get me so bad. Him trying to comfort her as the jabberjays cried out in their loved ones' voices gave me goosebumps.

I almost cried once, and that was when Katniss spun and her wedding gown turned into a mockingjay. Then Peeta dropped the "baby bomb," the tributes held hands, and the Capitol citizens were in outrage. Other scenes of rebellion during the Victory Tour not only gave the audience a taste of the Capitol's persecution but of people's courage and boldness. In the final two movies we will see how Katniss reacts to being the symbol of the rebellion.

So, the other tributes. Mags was so cute. Johanna so sassy and dangerous. Finnick shone, with that gorgeous smile and heart-wrenching moments. Beetee and Wiress were easy to love at first glance. Can't wait to see more of Annie.

Haymitch, Effie, Caesar. They're the best. Effie's tears as Peeta and Katniss were once again off to the Games were very touching. Her outfits were also completely fabulous.

The scenes in the arena were so much more terrifying than the last movie. Higher stakes, more dangerous competitors, the scariest-looking monkeys I've ever seen, and of course...TICK TOCK. Through it all, Katniss struggles to remember who the real enemy is.

My adrenaline was coursing, each moment was more intense, and the finale was breathtaking. At the end of it all, I felt as though I had come through an emotional marathon. This was a movie not only true to the book, but to the original movie. Francis Lawrence carried on the story so well.

Can't wait to see it again. But I'm gonna need some time!

I'm a Pretty, Pretty, Polish Princess.

I have a new addiction.

Okay, addiction is probably too strong of a word.

I have something new I've been accumulating.

Remember a while ago when I wrote about my obsession with scarves? Yeah, that's old hat. I've moved on. To nail polish.

Actually, scarves and nail polish are pretty similar in their appeal to me. They always fit. They can be inexpensive (at least the kinds I buy! heh heh.). They're fun to get in a bunch of colors so you can always have the perfect one...

I'm sure however many I have aren't nearly as many as some people have. But I've noticed that I've been painting my nails more than usual. Like, every couple days. Whenever the coat starts wearing off. I like to coordinate my nails with my outfits. And it's not that complicated to take the old polish off and put on the new. Not as easy as a scarf, but still.

The one itty bitty problem is that my nails apparently hate all the new outfits I've painted on them. They are peeling like crazy. It sort of started in March, when I got three new types of nail polish. Hunger Games nail polish. Awesome, am I right?!



It was then that I realized I needed my nails to be pretty all the time.

I started noticing other people's nails, like in movies, and chose what I wanted according to my favorites.

Again I repeat...not that many bottles. Yet. But they're something small and fun that I can choose from to decorate my nails. Makes me feel special.

I've of course attempted designs like the ones found on Pinterest, but guess what? I should not quit my day job to do this. I'll just stick to a basic coat.

Ooooohhh...pretty.

What Do YOU Know?

Here's something annoying:

people attempting to discuss something they haven't read.

Why people will try to enter into a dialogue with someone about something they have only heard other people's opinions on....well, it's beyond me.

Specifically, it bothers me when people pass judgment on a book without having read it. I'll tell you what I think of the book, but I'm not going to really respect their opinion. Because they really can't have an informed opinion on something they haven't read.

Recently, this has happened to me talking to people about books such as The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, and Twilight. A few people have been sort of shocked that I would be into a book such as The Hunger Games, since children are forced to kill each other. I can almost feel them getting a little high and mighty, like, I would never read such trash!

Okay, sure, think that. But I can't really have a discussion with you if that's all you know about the books. Or if that's all you think they're about. I can try to tell you my opinion, but I always suggest you read the books. Plenty of people's minds have been changed this way. Out of the dozens of people I've talked to who've read The Hunger Games, I've only talked to three who didn't like it. And to them I say, hey, you gave it a try but it wasn't for you? Great. Tell me why, so I can understand.

But when people try to talk confidently about something they've never read, I know they're just regurgitating other people's opinions. Take Harry Potter, for instance. Some people have just heard so many times that there's something wrong with these books because of the "magic" they contain that they practically back away in fear if I mention them. Seriously? Have you looked into it yourself?

There was this one guy I was trying to talk to and he had all these opinions on why Twilight was stupid. I also happen to believe Twilight is stupid (I tend not to use this word...). However, I have read all four books and have specific reasons why I think this. This guy hadn't read any of them, and his reasons for dissing the series weren't grounded in anything. It was obvious he didn't know what he was talking about.

So what kind of discussion is that? One person has read the book and one person hasn't? It's not a discussion at all.

Read the book and get back to me.

A Night in the World for Books

Well, THAT was fun.

Guess what I got to do? Give out free books!

I know, I know - "Laura," you say, "You give out free books every day! You're a librarian, which is the best job in the universe. Thank you for your dedication, by the way."

To this I say, you're welcome. Also, sure I give out free books, but people have to return them. On Monday I gave out 20 copies of one of my current favorite books, The Hunger Games. For keeps!

April 23 was World Book Night, and I was beyond thrilled to participate. Months ago I heard that WBN was going to happen for the first time in this country, in addition to taking place in the U.K. and Ireland. Hopefully it will keep spreading! I was accepted as a "giver" after filling out an application online after hearing about it on http://www.hypable.com/.

Thousands of givers gave out books on Monday. We got to choose from a list of 30 books. (For a complete list, click here.) I had to pick my top three choices, and I chose The Hunger Games all three times. Luckily that didn't count against me and I got it. :)

I received a box with all the books along with some bookmarks and an awesome pin. WBN's purpose is to share the love of reading...especially with non-readers. The kinds of people who wouldn't typically pick up a book. So though I was going to be handing them out in the library, I wanted to give them to people who weren't there for books. I know you may think of people just coming to the library for books, but many many people come to study/use computers/use copy machine/tutoring/movies/etc. So I looked for those people.

So here's who I gave books to!

• 4 high school girls working on a school project
• 1 teacher to use in his classroom
• 7 ladies using the community room for a craft program
• 1 girl at the library to be tutored
• 2 ladies knitting
• 2 men only picking out movies
• 1 partridge in a pear tree (not really...)

Then it was 9 pm. The library closed and I had 3 books left. I failed!

Not quite.

• I stopped by my gym and gave the remaining 3 books to the guys working there. Success!

Truly a special day to be a part of. I heard some great stories of people giving books out all over the country. Just google "World Book Night 2012" to read more. I'll definitely be applying again next year, though I might trying reaching out beyond the library.

It was like Halloween, only with books! If you're interested, stay tuned next year and definitely give it a try. Worth it.

Use Your Elbows!

So when did Easter egg hunts turn into the kids' version of Black Friday?

I keep hearing these crazy stories of egg hunts turning ugly or even being canceled due to the unruly kids and parents! Come on, people.

I know egg hunts are competitive. But let's try to stick to common courtesy! Not to mention, these so-called egg hunts are more like egg races. Eggs aren't hidden, like they were in my day, they're just scattered in fields. In these cases no one's searching, they're just fighting to get to the eggs first! And the parents are egging them on. (Haha, see what I did there?)



It's just silly. Everyone knows kids taking on kids in epic battles for prizes (Hunger Games, anyone?) isn't the point of Easter. Reese's chocolate peanut butter eggs are! Just kidding....

I hope you all had a great Easter with your family and friends. I made a few loaves of makowiec, which is a traditional Polish poppyseed bread. It took a while to make, but it was worth it. I ate about 17 pieces yesterday. Maybe that's an exaggeration. Maybe not. Anyway, I should go into business it was that. good. Want to try it out? Click here for a recipe.





Happy Monday!

The Smarty-Pants Librarian

All right, all right. I kind of like to be a smarty-pants.

No doubt most of this is because I'm the firstborn in my family. I know it all and you'll do what I tell you!

But I really like to know everything first. Obviously this is impossible. Other people are much more informed than I am. I'm not online as much as others; I don't have internet on my phone for instance. But I love to stay current on especially book, movie, and tv show news. Culture, entertainment, publishing. I consider it my duty as a librarian.

Jo Rowling is writing a new book for adults? On it. Nathan Fillion (from the tv show Castle) to star in the next Percy Jackson and the Olympians movie (which they better not ruin like the first one)? Got it. Hunger Games movie news, Harry Potter eBooks, online fandom debates? Sooo yesterday.

My secret is http://www.hypable.com/. This site is rockin'. I've been a fan ever since it began, not too long ago. Years ago I found http://www.mugglenet.com/, which is a Harry Potter fan site. I stayed up-to-date on all the latest HP news there. Then, several people from that site created Hypable, which covers dozens of different fandoms. Not to mention general news items having to do with publishing, tv, and movies. I like to know all these things, and share them.

I read all types of books, from celebrity memoirs to historical mysteries to young adult dystopian to kids' novels to rhyming picture books. Nothing makes me happier than being able to chat with a library patron about something they're checking out. Kids are shocked a "big kid" is reading the same authors they are. Adults appreciate an "expert's" opinion on their movies. And I can discuss The Hunger Games with pretty much every teen.

I like to know things. I like to be current. I like to be the young, hip librarian who's always looking towards the next trend. I want to be on top of things and be able to inform.

That's just how I roll.

And May the Odds Be EVER In Your Favor

Wow. Just, wow. Yes, it's true. All the good reviews you've heard are spot-on. The Hunger Games is a near-perfect page-to-screen adaptation. I'll be going into some detail in this post, so be warned if you don't want to be spoiled. Seriously, watch the movie and then come back and read this.

I'm so glad I went at midnight! My brother and I got there around 10 and waited in a line outside for a while, listening to The Hunger Games soundtrack. Really unique, haunting songs. Ended up in a theater mostly filled with high school girls. The kind that shrieked when the Breaking Dawn Part 2 trailer played. I'm sure this is mostly due to it being a midnight showing; hopefully a wider range of ages will see it on their own time.

What I noticed most about this movie was the way it was filmed. It didn't feel like a huge blockbuster, a high budget movie. It felt smaller, grittier. The camerawork was shaky, parts felt like a documentary. The specific choices made in filming were unique. This did get tricky at times, when I couldn't focus on what was happening in action sequences. If (when...) I go again I'll sit farther back. But really brilliant.

The cast? Spectacular. I had my doubts about a lot of the actors, and was reassured over the past few months when they were so highly praised by especially Suzanne Collins. And I bought every single one of their characters. Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss was so real. The movie was mostly from her perspective, and I felt exactly what she was feeling. Her trembling in the moments before going up the tube to the Games. Her hallucinations after being stung by tracker jackers. The ringing in her ears (and all of ours!) after she blows up the careers' food. Her gradual understanding of the spectacle of the Games after getting to the Capitol. I was there, I was in it.



I loved Katniss's relationship with Prim. The Reaping was horrifying, and you could have heard a pin drop in my theater. I felt the love and sacrifice so strongly. Katniss is such a strong character, and the movie shows this again and again. And Josh Hutcherson is Peeta. Seemingly weak and unsure at first, but actually strong and smart. Liam Hemsworth was a great Gale; he didn't have much of a part in the movie but several reaction shots of him watching the Games were very poignant. Woody Harrelson (Haymitch), Lenny Kravitz (Cinna), Elizabeth Banks (Effie) and especially Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman) were all brilliant.



Donald Sutherland (Pres. Snow) and Wes Bentley (Seneca Crane) had some extra dialogue and scenes that were not in the book, but they were perfect. Interspersed with the Games were moments where the Gamemakers were orchestrating everything happening in the arena. Chilling. Over and over again the audience is meant to understood that these are children forced to fight to the death and that this is horribly wrong. The violence was not glorified, and the gaudy fools of the Capitol betting on outcomes contrasted starkly with Districts 11 and 12.



I'm so glad Suzanne Collins was so involved in the screenwriting of this movie. It really shows. The film follows the book so perfectly, and the added scenes make complete sense. I noticed a couple things left out (no sleep syrup for Peeta, no mention of District 13, less interaction in the cave between Peeta and Katniss, muttations not given characteristics of fallen tributes), but they didn't take away from the film as a whole. And this movie definitely can stand on its own. The world is understandable and relatable, and even people who have not read the books should be able to appreciate it.

I cried once and it was actually during an added scene. After Rue dies, Katniss covers her with flowers and presses three fingers to her mouth and holds them out in a sign of respect to District 11, Rue's district. The scene shifts to District 11, where we see the people gathered, making the same sign back to her. Then we see Rue's father (at least, that's who I took it to be) attacking a Peacekeeper, and other scenes of riot and uprising. I strongly felt the hopelessness and injustice, as well as the gut reaction to strike back.



I could probably go on and on and on. After I see the movie again I'm sure I'll have more thoughts. But this is 12 hours after, and I'm still processing.

Please see this movie. Please read the books. They have so much to give.

Hungry for Some GAMES!

I have something to say:

I KNEW it! I knew The Hunger Games was going to be the next big thing.

The surgeon's assistant at the dental clinic where I got my wisdom teeth out will totally back me up on this. Back in the beginning of December, when I got my teeth out and afterwards when I was in the recovery room coming out of a sleepy stupor, I talked up The Hunger Games big time for some reason. I said that this series of books was "the next big thing." I also said a lot of other things, most of which I can't remember and may not have made sense. Anyway...

I remember at the end of my second-to-last semester at school, around December 2009, I breezed through The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I'd seem them around and thought I'd give them a try. I read YA lit all the time, so this wasn't that unusual. And these books were awesome and I mean AWESOME. I read the second one on the day of a huge oral exam that I should've been studying for instead. Then, when the final book Mockingjay was published summer 2010 and I was able to get it from the library (because that's how I roll.), I was crazed with anticipation.

What was with this series? Why was I hooked? Well, rereading the series during these past couple weeks, I remembered why I fell in love with the story. First, the suspense makes the novels. Everyone I've talked to just can't put them down. You barely realize you're turning pages and finishing chapters, it all just drives to the end in one breathless stream. I was pulled in by the story, which I touched on in an earlier blog post here (back in November, where I also promised it was going to be big! The title of the post is called "The Next Big Thing," for goodness sakes!). Suzanne Collins writes about a futuristic dystopian society, but it all seems so relatable. It's not weird and "out there," it's a story about love and death, sacrifice and justice.

I know a lot of people have been comparing it to Twilight and Harry Potter. Personally, Harry Potter will always be the best to me. The story, the characters...perfection. The Hunger Games is good in its unique ways, but it will never be Harry Potter. But that doesn't mean it isn't great.

And all the nonsense about a "love triangle?" Well, it's nonsense. Katniss, the gutsy heroine of the Games, is no Bella. Is she swooning over a vampire and a werewolf, while managing to do, um, nothing productive or helpful? No. She's trying to provide for her family, save the lives of her friends, and ultimately bring down a corrupt government. The romance portrayed is realistic and tough at times. Definitely complicated, and not by the fact that her boyfriend wants to drink her blood.

The books were fantastic, and die-hard fans like myself were eagerly anticipating movie news. Last March we found out which actors would be portraying favorites like Katniss, Gale, Peeta, and President Snow. I listened to my fan podcasts and wondered if these movies were going to be good. Book to screen adaptations have certainly failed before. But as the months rolled past, things looked more and more hopeful. Lionsgate's ad campaign for The Hunger Games has been unlike anything I've ever seen. From the animated, fiery movie poster to the Capitol nail polish to the social networking to the trailers...it's been stellar. It's created so much buzz for the films. Forget the film just doing well, it's going to EXPLODE!

Reviews have been coming in from critics already and they are very promising. I have never been this excited for a movie before, never. My brother and I will be lining up for the midnight premiere tomorrow night expecting something terrific. And I don't think we'll be disappointed.

I've been so proud to be a part of this fandom since I first read the books. Yes, I do sometimes want to say to people reading them now that I read them beFORE they were this big. But mostly I just tell everyone to read them. And everyone is. Old, young, guy, girl. It's an exciting time to be a librarian. Kind of what it must have been like when Harry Potter took off.

So read the books! Go see the movie! And get caught up in the next big thing.

Just So You Know

So I'm having internet troubles. Hopefully they will be resolved shortly, but here's a mini blog post since I wasn't able to write one Friday and probably won't be able to tomorrow.

A few of my favorite things this past week:

• Wearing flip flops for the first time this year!
• Turning the heat off and opening the windows.
• Making chocolate chip cookies with Oreos inside (for the recipe, click here).
• Painting my nails with Hunger Games nail polish.
• Reading amazing reviews of The Hunger Games movie, which I will be watching at midnight this coming Thursday!
• Taking an ice cream walk.
• Getting great deals on groceries like fresh fruits and vegetables. Because I'm an excellent shopper.
• Listening to sessions online at work from the Public Library Association's Virtual Conference about social media and iPads.
• Catching up with my best friends.

Despite not having internet much this week, I managed to have a good time. Have I perhaps learned something? Anyway, who wants to stay inside when there's so much to do in such beautiful weather!

Happy Sunday. :)

Singing, Sneezing, Super Bowl

So yesterday was my birthday.

I celebrated by going to church, having a bad cold, watching the Super Bowl, and getting a lot I repeat a LOT of chocolate. This seems telling...

So yay for a birthday filled with chocolate! My friends and family know me so well. Actually, complete strangers could probably tell how much I love chocolate by how much I talk about it/eat it in front of them. The Super Bowl party I went to included a chocolate fountain *swoon*. Can you think of anything better than dipping potato chips and strawberries into liquidy chocolately delight?

It was kind of a bummer that I was sick, though. I started sneezing on Saturday, and then yesterday got all stuffed. Usually, I'm sneezing because of book dust or something. Now, my nose is just tickly all the time. I'm feeling pretty drowsy too, so no gym today. I had kind of a hard time taking deep breaths on the machines yesterday, and I don't feel like I have to put myself through that again today. And on the day after my birthday, too!

Hope you all had a great weekend, whether you watched the Super Bowl or not. As for me, I had my eyes glued to the screen practically the whole time, and yet still managed to miss the promised second Hunger Games trailer. Did I miss it, or did they not show it? Luckily I saw it online a few days ago. Otherwise my birthday would've ended in a fit of tears and pouting.

And that sounds like a previous birthday, quite a few years ago. Musical chairs, anyone?

The Next Big Thing

So, the plan was to get up and write a good blog post yesterday morning, but I was immediately distracted! I realized that I could watch the world premiere of The Hunger Games trailer at 8:30 on Good Morning America, so other plans sort of fell by the wayside.

I have been waiting for this for what seems like FORever, so to finally watch the real trailer was thrilling. And, as a fan of the books, knowing the story, I got chills!

Why don't you go ahead and watch it, if you haven't already. And if you have, watch it again. And again. Like me.


If you're not familiar with the story...well, it can seem strange to explain it. It's the story of a dystopian society (click here for a definition from one of my favorite sources - Wikipedia!), with a government that maintains control by drawing names of children to fight against each other in an arena. To the death.

I know, I know. It's not the sort of book I thought I would like either. But I could NOT put it down. It's actually a trilogy, by Suzanne Collins.




You've got until March 2012, when the movie comes out (and you can join me at the midnight premiere!) to read all three books. Let me know what you think! Supposedly, these movies are expected to be the next Harry Potter (yay!) or Twilight (yuck!).

So get reading! Remember: book first, then movie. I recommend your local library.