Kelly's blog

World War Z: The Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks was published in 2007 and is often cited as one of the best zombie novels of the last ten years. The book is a string of first person accounts of various characters around the world and how they remember the zombie outbreaks and following war. There are testimonies from military personnel, intelligence officials, and regular citizens who try to defeat the zombies.

The first selection is Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Ready Player One takes place in the not so distant future, where thanks to an energy crisis the world is a pretty bleak place. Luckily everyone can spend their time in the OASIS, a virtual world that is a lot more appealing than the real one. James Halliday, the creator of OASIS, dies and leaves the ticket to his entire fortune hidden in the game.

The theme for 2012 was “Supersonic World – 2012 and Beyond!” and each participant was asked to create an original scene (no LEGO sets) inspired by this futuristic theme. There were categories for adults, teens, children, and a family category, and each entry had to fit in a shoebox sized space. There were 14 total entries from Bear Valley, University Hills, Smiley, and the Schlessman libraries and the judging took place on January 14th at the Bear Valley Branch Library.

Have you always been a music fan and are wanting to learn more about a legendary jazz musician? Join us at the Ross-Cherry Creek Branch at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17 for a Duke Ellington Lecture. Although many people are aware of Duke Ellington's hits from the 1930s and 40s, he also created some undiscovered gems during the 50s and 70s. Come learn about the 47 year career of this music legend!

Visit the library and check out a book by one of these humorists and your nerves will thank you for it.

- Zombie Spaceship Wasteland by Patton Oswalt

- I Drink for a Reason by David Cross

- Bossypants by Tina Fey

Do you think you know Colorado History? Well learn about the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Colorado history at this great program, presented by the Fairmount Heritage Foundation. Hear stories that didn’t make it into the history books about Speer, Iliff, Lowry, Elitch, and others. This event is happening at the Ross-University Hills Branch on Thursday, August 25 at 6 p.m.

The term “Graphic Novel” is often used to refer to a longer format, but possibly to also distance the genre from some of the comic book stereotypes. Whatever you want to call them, here are some stand alone books and first issues to get you started.

Black Hole by Charles Burns

Blankets by Craig Thompson

Epileptic by David B.

There is something quite satisfying in reading about lives completely unlike your own: lives you will never lead, but are curious about anyway. Not only that - it is pretty fun to read about the origins of your favorite band, or about some debauchery you either have never experienced or have put far behind you. Read one of these rock biographies and experience some secondary musical inspiration.

His first real hit was the horror classic Halloween, which gave birth to the slasher genre and showed a then unknown Jamie Lee Curtis fighting for her life against a masked maniac. Though their plots and genres are varied, Carpenter’s movies are distinct for several different reasons. Whether it be his continued use of actor Kurt Russell, the minimal lighting, or the scores he composed himself, Carpenter has some unique techniques.

When I was young my only knowledge of “The Boss” was the song "Born in the U.S.A" - I remember it being blasted at sporting events and on television, and I really had no interest in it (and it’s still not a favorite of mine). I think I was a little too young to have been a Bruce convert from the start - I missed the mania and therefore didn’t understand what the fuss was all about.