Rhymes With Satan

Chris with the Cheese Haus mouse
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

This week I spent three days at the annual Michigan Library Association Spring Institute, which took place in Michigan's own tribute to Bavaria, Frankenmuth.

The conference was great (Note to Ang and Mary: Best. Conference. Ever.) and had many highlights, including keynote speeches by Mo Willems, Anastasia Goodstein, and MT Anderson; the annual karaoke night with Matt the Millionaire Welz; and of course seeing so many friends from libraries throughout MI.

The best, most awesome part of the conference, though, was our Thumbs Up! keynote speaker, Chris Krovatin. He's the author of one of the alltime best teen novels, Heavy Metal and You, and besides being a massively talented writer, he's an articulate speaker, an extremely intelligent person, and an all-around cool guy. (I think it sort of goes without saying that he has excellent taste in music.)

Eva and I subjected him to the sites of Frankenmuth, including the Cheese Haus, the Fudge Kitchen, and of course Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland. The latter was even creepier than I expected and after a few minutes of wandering in a glittery stupor, we hightailed it out of there. Unfortunately for Chris, there was a problem with his originally scheduled flight out of MI, so he ended up having to spend the rest of the day with us, but he couldn't have been more awesome about it. He was nothing but nice to us, even as we mother-henned him half to death, and let us pick his brain about his upcoming second book (due summer 2008 - mark your calendars now!) and other sundry topics.

Viva Spring Institute!

knit your own jean skirt

Rowan Denim Yarn, knit by Eunny
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

Eunny recently posted about her newly completed Indigo Ripples skirt, knit from Denim in Nashville.

It looks and sounds amazing! Drawstring waist for comfort, machine washer- and dryer-able, and it wears in/fades like denim. Sign me up!

IT

Richard Ayoade, The IT Crowd
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

If you've not seen The IT Crowd, you should totally check it out, and definitely before the US version comes out.

Fans of Richard Ayoade (and really, EVERYONE) should also watch Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, which is indescribably hilarious.

brought to mind by TV Squad

Star Wars, Beautiful Star Wars

r2d2mailboxpapercraft
Originally uploaded by bonniegrrl.

Ever felt the urge to have your own R2D2? Thanks to crafty guru Bonnie Burton, you can!

When you're done with that, you can vote for your favorite Star Wars stamp!

Lego Mario

Mario Bros. Lego
Uploaded by Bibi-de-Bibopof

via Neatorama

Name Game

Detail: Letter from Northern Engineering Works Building--Detroit MI
Originally uploaded by pinehurst19475.

1. First Name:
Anne

2. Middle Name:
Elizabeth

3. Name you go by:
Anne

4. Name(s) your parents call(ed) you:
Anne, pumpkin, sweetie

5. Other nicknames (past and present):
Annabelle, Bella, WifeBand (this is what K calls me when I call him HusBand)

6. What did you call yourself when you were little?
I don't know if I called myself anything, but if we were playing a game and making up characters to "be," I'd usually choose Stephanie or Claudia

7. Were your parents considering any other names (that you know of) before they settled on yours?
If I were a boy, I'd have been Christopher or Benjamin (I think?)

8. What does your name mean?
Grace(ful)

9. Do any famous people share your name?
Anne Bancroft, Anne Boleyn, Anne Frank, Anne Geddes, Anne of Green Gables, Anne Hathaway, Anne Heche, Anne Rice, Anne Robinson, Queen Anne

10. Can you pronounce your name backwards?
Enna

11. Favorite girls' names:
Annika, Charlotte, Olivia

12. Favorite boys' names:
Framston (yes, this is made-up), Hank, John Henry, Thomas

13. Favorite name you've ever read in a book:
Harriet from Harriet the Spy

14. Favorite name from a TV show:
Fox Mulder

15. Favorite name for a dog/cat:
geez, there are too many to choose from! Let's go with Einstein (bonus points to those who can name that movie)

via Madame Librarian

HP7 cover art

The cover art for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has been released! As usual, The Leaky Cauldron has the scoop and has cover art for the US, UK children's, and UK adult versions. I have to admit that I got a little shiver of excitement looking at these (the US version is my favorite, I think because Voldemort looks so creepy and threatening).

Relatedly, Listening Library announced this week that the audio version will be released simultaneously and is available for pre-order.

Karl is only mildly evil

ewwwwww!
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

garden day

purple crocus (2)
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

The weather was beautiful today, in the 60s and sunny at least part of the afternoon, so we got out and did some work in the front garden. We pulled out the old, broken-down plastic border and put in a new faux stone border (yes, also plastic, but way better quality than the old one). I also pulled out the chickweed and other plants that were already threatening to take over. Several crocus (croci?) are blooming along with another yellow flower that I think might be a daffodil. Lots of the tulips are coming up and I'm really encouraged that the garden will eventually look quite nice.

celeb meme

Two teen lit authors, Robyn Schneider and Jennifer Lynn Barnes, have created a site called Meme Girls. They've got book, vlog, and other memes. I chose the Celebrity Crush meme:

1. Who was your first celebrity crush? Bo Duke, aka John Schneider

2. Let's talk middle school/junior high. The object of your celebrity affection was... the Coreys, Michael J. Fox, and Duran Duran's John Taylor (among others, I'm sure)

3. Who is your most enduring celebrity crush (ie the one you've crushed on for the longest)? Brian Setzer

4. Who's your current celebrity crush (must be different from the enduring one)? Simon Pegg

5. Who is your most embarassing celebrity crush ever? I'm not particularly embarassed by this, but let's say Buck Rogers

via Whimsy Books

This American Life

This American Life
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

I was anxiously anticipating the premiere of This American Life on Showtime and it is just as awesome as I'd hoped. It's even available On Demand, and it seems to be one of those shows that is available OD a few days before the official air date (yay!) My only complaint is that each episode is only 30 minutes long.

Grand Canyon Skywalk

Grand Canyon Skywalk
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the recently opened Grand Canyon Skywalk. On one hand, I'd like to visit and be able to walk out so far over the canyon and see what I'm sure is a gorgeous and previously unattainable-by-foot view. On the other, the structure itself leaves a lot to be desired in the looks department, will no doubt be crowded with annoying tourists, and takes away from the beauty of the canyon itself. The height is definitely pretty impressive, as you can see here.

via Dethroner

Mega Trees

robin on front tree
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

Our front tree is big and occasionally looks kind of neat, but these are magnificent.

via Dethroner

Someone to Love

Demetri Martin in Fountains of Wayne video: "Someone to Love"
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

Fountains of Wayne have a new album, Traffic and Weather, coming out April 3rd, and Demetri Martin stars in the first video, "Someone to Love." I can't wait until this is available!

via Pop Candy

2007 Movers & Shakers

Library Journal Movers & Shakers 2007
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

Congrats to two local (Detroit-area) superstar librarians: Jayne Damron and Larry Neal! I've had the pleasure of working with both of these fine people through our state association and I couldn't be happier for both of them!

five favorites

5.
Originally uploaded by kerry extraordinary..

The Liminal Librarian has started a librarian-blogger meme:

What do you read that's absolutely not library-related? If you're a library blogger reading this, consider yourself tagged, and tag your own post fiveblogs.

Picking just five is difficult, so I decided to go with the first five that came to mind (out of the 392 feeds in my Bloglines. I'm not including anything book-, author-, or youth-related, as those are mostly closely related to my work as a librarian.

• A Dress a Day: Sewing, style, and a new dress almost every day.


• Boston Terrier Lovers: Photos, videos, and daily this-and-that from owners of BTs.


• Lolly Knitting Around: Every-few-days updates from a knitter with a great eye for color.


• EcoGeek: Two great tastes that taste great together--technology and the environment.


• TV Squad: Keeping me up-to-date about what's on, what's great, and what not to waste my time on.

via Blog Without a Library

Magnum, A.L.

via Likely Stories

Rules

Borders
Originally uploaded by Mr Toms World.

How do you decide when to buy a book? I've mentioned before that I don't buy a ton of books, as I get most of those I want from the library. Discardian has some rules of thumb for when to buy a book (as opposed to when to check it out from the library) that pretty closely mirror my own.

via Dirty Librarian

A is for Anne

The letter A
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

Apparently, I'm someone's favorite!

Thanks, Anne!

word cloud

word cloud
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

via Buying Mockingbirds

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

Apparently Russell Crowe is slated to take on the role of Sherlock Holmes in a yet-to-be-made movie which will "focus more on Holmes' physical attributes, including his talent for bare-knuckle and sword fighting, which were both mentioned in the original books."

I seriously hope this doesn't come to fruition. I'm not necessarily opposed to a more action-focused Holmes flick, but there's no way I could believe that Russell Crowe had any action going on inside his head.

via Grrl Still Kickin'

speedy

via G Tuck

bulbs ahoy

bulb beginning
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

I raked the front garden today, having left a decent number of leaves on it for the winter to protect the bulbs I planted in the fall. I also got out my camera and played with the macro setting a little bit and I'm pretty pleased with the results. Click the photo for more garden photos, including a few of some plants I can't identify (all help will be much appreciated!). We went to Lowe's and purchased some new edging for this area, as the current stuff is falling apart. Hopefully we'll get a few nice days this week and we'll be able to install it soon.

sunny day

sun through the trees
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

It wasn't very warm today but the sun was shining through the branches and it was simply gorgeous.

oh, those guys

'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

via Fuse #8

Now on Sale

Peanut Butt Eggs, now available at a Meijer near you.

photo coolness

View from the Teen area
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

So, I got a message today alerting me that one of my flickr photos was featured at Quillblog as part of their Friday Photo series. Neat!

They've got a flickr pool called Quill and Quire, focused primarily on images related to the Canadian book scene.

My thanks to Quillblog for including my photo even though it isn't Canadian.

Pure Anthropological Comedy Gold

While all BroHo2.0 episodes are, as a rule, awesome, today's was especially kickass. Do Not Miss.

Scarlett Thomas interview

Scarlett Thomas
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

Don't miss Bookslut's interview with Scarlett Thomas, author of such superfantasticawesome books as PopCo and The End of Mr. Y. Every time I read one of her books I just want to sit down for tea with her and pick her brain about 101 different things. This interview contains a lot of great information and insight into the writer.

Nick Hornby switches gears

Tony Hawk: READ
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

Seeing as his musical didn't work out so well, Nick Hornby is writing a novel for teens. His adult novels are some of my favorites, so I'm really looking forward to this. According to PW, it will be:

"Slam, about a boy who survives a teenage crush by hashing out the pangs of love with his idol Tony Hawk (or at least a one-dimensional version of the star, via a poster).

It'll be out in October, just in time for my birthday.


via Publishers Weekly

more lit on TV

Jenna Elfman
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

Apparently books are hot. Jenna Elfman is set to star as a publicist in the new show Literary Superstar:

She'll play a book publicist who's intensely loyal to her clients, reports Variety. When budget cuts threaten her publishing house, she stands up to the corporate suits - and successfully lobbies for the right to continue working with smaller, quirkier authors. In addition to focusing on different authors each week, the show will also will explore Elfman's character as she pursues love and happiness.

Matthew Reilly is writing the pilot, and will co-executive produce with Star; production on Literary Superstar is scheduled to begin in this

The Librarians

TV
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

Australian TV watchers will get a treat later this year with a new TV series called The Librarians:

The humble suburban library takes on a whole new meaning in the ABC TV's new comedy-drama The Librarians, which starts production in Melbourne on March 5.

A co-production between ABC TV and Gristmill Pty Ltd, The Librarians is the brainchild of actors/writers Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope. Married in real life, Butler and Hope will also star in the production.

The six-part series centres on the trials and tribulations of Frances O'Brien, a devout Catholic and head librarian. Her life unravels when she is forced to employ her ex-best friend, Christine Grimwood - now a drug dealer - as the children's librarian. Frances must do all she can to contain her menacing past and concentrate on the biggest event of the library calendar - Book Week.

"We are thrilled to be making The Librarians. With 25,000 books on set we have fabricated the perfect excuse to extend our summer reading, added to which, the children's library is very handy for cheap childcare, " said Robyn.

ABC TV's Executive Producer for Drama Miranda Dear added: "It's great to be working with such a dynamic comic team. With this series they bring their acute eye for social satire to bear on the world of the library in the most surprising ways. Borrowing a book may never seem as safe again."

I'm not convinced of that last bit, but it ought to be interesting to see how this turns out. Of course, those of us here on this side of the globe will almost certainly have to wait quite some time before we have access to it.

via ResourceShelf

As opposed to the zombie children

Caution
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

via This is Broken

Celebrity Free Pass

Get Out of Jail Free card
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

So apparently some of my librarian pals had a very interesting conference planning meeting (which I missed out on) which included discussion of Celebrity Free Pass lists. Here's mine:

Celeb List (in no particular order)
1. Ewan McGregor
2. Parker Posey
3. Joaquin Phoenix
4. Francesca Lia Block
5. Simon Pegg
6. Reese Witherspoon
7. Mike Ness
8. David Tennant
9. Brian Setzer
10. Hank Green

Comment with yours!

Thanks to Jayne for the idea.

Cecil Mix

I've got a match.
Originally uploaded by Judy Dark.

LibrariAnne idol Cecil Castellucci has guest blogged a list of PLAIN Janes character Main Jane's iPod Shuffle songs over at the way cool Longstockings blog. There's a handy direct link to download 'em all from iTunes if you don't own them already.

Personal favorite: I've Got a Match by They Might Be Giants.

Edward's version

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

Fans of Twilight will be interested to know that Stephenie Meyer has posted chapter one (PDF) of Midnight Sun at her website. Midnight Sun is told from Edward's perspective, and chapter one relates his experiences during Bella's first day at school.

(This may be old news, but I just found out about it.)

via Blog from the Windowsill

Cowlick! by Christin Ditchfield, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw

Cowlick! by Christin Ditchfield, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian.

Golden Books (Random House), 2007

With lilting, efficient text, this enchanting story unfolds step by step
("clip-clop, clip-clop") with each page turn, bringing the reader ever
closer to a visit from the Cowlick Fairy. The rhymes are uncomplicated and just right for this type of tale, and the cadence works very well for
reading aloud (I'm reminded of The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, not in
content but in feel). The illustrations are, likewise, uncomplicated and
with their soft edges, reassure the reader that though something
mysterious may be sneaking down the hallway, everything will certainly end well (the fact that the Cowlick Fairy seems to be in cahoots with the family dog doesn't hurt, either). The double-page spread depicting a cowlick being created is at once gross and fun: the cow's tongue is as big as the child's head and creates a cowlick of truly epic proportions. Recommended for reading aloud, perhaps as part of a pajama storytime.

reviewed from a library copy