GROG - Love.com Vol. 1

Title: Love.Com: Lovely Complex Vol. 1
Author: Aya Nakahara

Illustrator: [Same]
Copyright: 2001 (First Printing 2007)

Publisher: Viz Media

Price: $8.99

ISBN: 978-1-4215-1343-0
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Summary: Risa Koizumi is the tallest girl in her class. Atsushi Otani is the shortest boy in his class. Somehow, Koizumi and Otani often wind up together and fighting, which provides lots of entertainment to their classmates. In this first volume, Koizumi and Otani are stuck in summer school and decide it is time to find someone to “go out with.” The winner does whatever the other one says, but in working together, will they discover something more?
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Thoughts: Obviously, this title is a “shojo” title in that it is a love story between tall, boyish girl and small, effeminate guy with lots of drama ensuing. Surprisingly, to me, the title is weak and doesn’t “stick out” like other shojo titles I’ve read. The art of this work is just like every other shojo title (which is fine by me) and the plot is the same. It feels like a title that may disappear in a few years. More reviews to come as I read the series.

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Will Teens Like It?: Teens who love shojo will want this title, otherwise, it’ll probably be skipped.

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Things to be aware of: The usual teen drama, i.e. discussions on sex.

GROGs - The Novel is Silent

GROGs or 'Graphic Novel Reviews on the Go' is another feature you’ll find on this blog.

Developing a library graphic novel collection is difficult, at least to me. To be honest, I’ve found that while it is helpful that graphic novels are being reviewed, the reviews are not helpful. I’ve discovered that there is this difference between what a graphic novel reader thinks is cool and what a librarian thinks is good. As an avid reader, I’ve been on both sides, but have seen that this divide exists, so GROGs are my attempt to build a bridge between those that are recommended and those that are loved.

GROG reviews are basically the same as the ROGs in set-up and such. Same idea for the review, different format being reviewed.

November is NaNoWriMo

Have you heard of NaNoWriMo? It seems teen authors may or have in the past taken part in this national writing campaign. Do you know what it is? NaNoWriMo is short for “National Novel Writing Month,” which, if I remember correctly was started by a small group of writers needing a way to write. NaNoWriMo is pretty simple: write a 50,000 word novel about anything and then you can say you wrote a novel. The point is just to write, write, write and about quantity and not quality. Although, that’s not to say quality work isn’t written. Heck, a few NaNoWriMo projects have been published as books.

Why should you care? The short answer: teens. How often have you seen an article about a teen writing group? Seen a program write up on hosting a writing group? Writing workshop? I’ve seen quite a bit from ideas in professional works to an article in Voya. Teens write. I used to be a prolific writer as a teen to help sort through my anxieties and problems. NaNoWriMo now provides a division for younger writers such as teens and some schools have even hosted their own NaNoWriMos and it is simple if you just tell writers to scramble the word and do a word count.

Programming Connections: Does your library have a writing group? See if teens can become involved. Offer writing workshops this month, author visits, or host a writing group once a week this month.

You get the idea. :)

Early Late Night Revelations

Movie nights are one of my favorite programs to host at the Public Library (this being the one I work at). As a program, it is a relatively a simple program to run. All the is required is a movie license, food, the movie, a projection system, and of course: TEENS. Lately, it seems my programs have been low in attendance, but that’s not what this post is about.

I’ve been down lately, which is surprising to many as I’m a peppy, bubbly person in real life. I hosted a move night on Friday night, and had an average attendance. After the program though, a teen and I ended up in a somewhat animated discussion. When his parent came to pick him up, he grew self-conscious and thought he was taking to long. His father actually seemed fine waiting a few more minutes while we wrapped up our discussion and I checked the teen’s books out with his new library card. The teen left, possibly “turned on” to the library as a concept, and before his dad left, he turned to me and thanked me for the programs at the library.

And this is why I chose this path.

ROG - Information Part 2

As you may remember, I mentioned I was going to start posting "Reviews on the Go" for books, movies, whatever. The book reviews portion is going over a slight makeover (even though I haven't gone that far with book reviews) and instead of just "ROG - Book", book reviews will be "BROG" (Book Review on the Go). The concept is the same ,but there was only a name change.

Reviews Basic Information

"ROG - [Book/thing]" ("Reviews on the Go")

• ROGs are short reviews for library professionals who don't have time to read all the reviews out there or have time to kill but want productive stuff to read or just want more info on a book. I find lots of book reviews on the net are very long winded and while they are oftentimes interesting, I hate reading the screen for that long.
• These reviews will include basic book information, short summaries (about five sentences), a short commentary by me (about five sentences), a "Will Teens Like it?" rating, things to be aware of, and maybe bonus stuff.
• If you want to use the ROG format, wait. I have to figure out how I feel about that.
  

There you have it. Keep an eye out for upcoming ROGs on Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen, something Bluford High, Francesca Lia Block's new book, and Watersmeet by Ellen Jensen Abbott.

Class Is Over

School is out for at least part of my summer. This is a welcomed relief, but I'm being overwhelmed by my book stack, my sewing stack, and all the stuff that demands to be organized/cleaned...yesterday. That's ok. That means I can start to focus on this blog a little more and provide book reviews and such.

Currently I'm reading: Hold Them In Your Hearts. We have an active problem with disrespectful teens (of which I feel cannot really go into great detail), but this book, I hope, will open my eyes up. I've crossed many wonderful professional titles and if you don't actively read them as part of your teen services...you should. You really, really should.

Over and out and see ya later!