I really hate self-help books but....

No  honestly, I really do! The paper they're printed on would be better used for bird-cage liners. (The psycho-babble "I'm OK, You're OK" -- good lord if we're all OK then why in the heck are we reading these?) However I absolutely love Augusten Burroughs so I thought I'd take a chance

I am certainly glad I did. This is not your typical feel good self help book-- no sugar-coating, no garbage no 10 steps, no goal listing, no mirror looking or soul searching just brutal honesty. From ending your life without committing suicide, to becoming "thin," to dealing with the death of a loved one -- you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll feel the sting of a wake-up slap across the face. Burroughs is not here to comfort you or tell you that you're ok(Chances are you're not) he's here to tell you like it is, to help you quit whining and build that bridge and get over it! You've got to face the truth, Because, as he says, truth is a force. And the truth of the matter is if your life sucks...you're probably the main reason it does. Not your mother, father, sister or that high school rival you wanted to slap, but YOU! Now get up, go get that book, change the way you think and behave and then change your life, Augusten is here to be your guide!

Marriage Plot

Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

I could hardly believe the negative reviews of a book by this author. I so enjoyed The Virgin suicides and Middlesex, it just couldn't be true. Could it? Surely, these disgruntled readers have it wrong.(Or so I thought) As I read along and got deeper into the "story" (one of the problems is just that: where is the story?) I came to realize all the reviewers were pretty much correct. Oh Jeffrey! Jeffrey where did you go? Nothing ever really takes off--the scenes, meant to be humorous, are pathetically bad. I mean, AWFUL! I'm almost ashamed to say I finished it!

The story is about 3 Brown University seniors in the 1980's and their first few years after college graduation(little bit like St. Elmo's Fire). A Coed with brains falls in love with a brilliant guy who is severely bipolar. The best part of the book is how Eugenides describes the extreme difficulties which bipolar disease brings to the sufferer and those close to him. (Very accurate)

When I finally finished the story I was glad about two things; one I was thankful that those days of post-adolescence are long over and two, I was thankful the story was over!

Here's hoping the movie version of this story is better!

What are you capable of?

Perhaps no other phrase in the comic book genre applies to daily life as much as Spider-Man's famous, "With great power comes great responsibility." Such a phrase has guided Spider-Man throughout his career, but occasionally the thought comes up: what if he didn't follow this famous mantra, and instead used his powers for selfish reasons? The movie Chronicle explores what would happen if one would use his super powers selfishly.

Filmed documentary style, the movie tells the story of three high school boys who encounter some sort of alien ship or something alien, and then acquire superhuman powers of telekinesis. Predictably, things spiral out of control for the three. (I won't say too much more as not to ruin it for you)

I really enjoyed the first half of this film; getting to know the characters via a hand held camera as they fooled around with their newly acquired powers. Chronicle pretty much lost me during the back half of the movie , however, when it began to resemble something out of the movie Carrie.  It just kept getting darker and darker. 

With that said though Chronicle puts a real world spin on what has always been the most interesting aspect of the superhero/supervillain divide, how these individuals came to be. What would you do  if you suddenly got superpowers? Would you use it for good or evil? Would you get addicted to the power and feel everyone is beneath you or would you help people and make the world better?

Overall, even though Chronicle is one of those shaky "Found footage" movies, it does avoid many of the pitfalls of those type of films by having awesome special effects, exceptional writing and impressive acting. If you like a good superhero movie, then I highly recommend this movie. If nothing else it forces you to think about what the consequences of having super powers might be and how you would use those powers... Remember villains don't start out evil.

The story of Hachi/Hachiko

Before watching this movie I had heard the story about Hachiko many times. I've also come across the two books we have here at the library called Hachiko waits by Leslea Newman and Hachiko: the True story of a loyal dog by Pamela S. Turner. The story goes a loyal dog returns to the train station to meet his master every day even after the death of the master (Richard Gere). The movie takes place in present day and in Connecticut instead of Japan and the 1920s and 1930s. The real Hachiko died in 1934 so this film is long overdue.

I was quite pleased that they kept the story simple; one of a man and his dog, of forging bonds of unconditional love and devotion. What really makes the film stand out is how it shows the perspective of the dog Hachi, who really is the star of the movie, and giving insight into the emotions he felt. I would rate this as probably one of the best dog movies to ever come out of Hollywood. Whether you are a dog lover or not you will not be disappointed in this magnificent film.

Even though I knew how the story ends and prepared myself, the tears nevertheless were inevitable so much so that at one point I thought I might have to turn it off and gain my composure.(I did finish the film but not without quite a bit of tissue)

Hachi's story is an excellent  reminder that ALL dogs have thinking, emotive minds; and that they are part of your family and not something to be possessed. Hachi will continue to educate us from the grave for generations to come. I can't think of a more profound legacy and testament of love from animal to human then Hachi's story.

Abe Lincoln vampire hunter!

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Say what? Go ahead and laugh at the title. But then do yourself a favor and read the book. I must admit that the only reason I even decided to read this book was because I saw that it was being made into a movie.

The book was quirky enough to be incredibly interesting but serious enough (without being over the top!) to scare the crap out of you if you were reading alone at night time. One thing that surprised me about this book is that it is a serious horror/historical mash-up. It is not written in a way that is campy or silly, it is written as if Lincoln really did hunt vampires. That made the book fun to read. Anyone who loves Abe Lincoln and wants to know more about him (which should be every American, in my opinion) should read this book. It is a fun way to learn more about one of the greatest men to ever live! 

Come on, I know you want to!

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Investigative journalist Mikael (Daniel Craig) has just lost a libel case for an "unflattering" article he wrote which has put him and his publisher in financial ruin. Mikael is summoned to a meeting with Henrik(Christopher Plummer ), a wealthy businessman, who presents him with the opportunity to investigate the suspected murder of his niece Harriet almost forty years ago. It soon becomes clear that he is in over his head and needs a second pair of eyes to piece together the mystery. Cue Lisbeth(Rooney Mara), a skilled investigator with a personality as unique as her dragon tattoo.

First let me say the opening of the film was a bit unanticipated. The “Immigrant Song” cover by Trent Reznor and Karen O plays over these really fluid visuals that are difficult to describe. As my significant other and I sat down to watch The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo the opening credits baffled us so much so that we weren't really certain what, if any,did it have to do with the movie?

The further we settled into the movie the more we noticed that the movie is extremely dialogue driven. So prepare yourself for a lot of extremely long discussions. The movie does, however keep you engaged while purposefully unfolding the mysteries. To describe this film as dark is putting it mildly. There are a few disturbing scenes that will no doubt make you squirm(they did me). However the flip-side to this is that it's gripping and those scenes pay off in spades later. However director (David Fincher) never glorifies the violence, he simply allows the horror to play out naturally without editing it which in turn forces you to look away (comparable to real life)

I will say that even though the film will take you down a very dark road it is worth the trip. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo remains a rarity. I would also recommend watching the foreign movie version as well as the foreign novel by Stieg Larsson.

Last Plea Bargain

The Last Plea Bargain by Randy Singer.

What would happen to the legal system if suddenly every defendant demanded a trial by jury? With over 90% of cases settled by plea bargain agreements, if defendants were no longer willing to work out a deal, it would literally bring the legal system to a halt. This is the scenario Randy Singer presents in his latest legal thriller, The Last Plea Bargain.

Singer has the remarkable ability to integrate spiritual themes and difficult moral issues. He remains neutral in his storytelling, which allows for the reader to better evaluate their own preconceived ideas and perhaps gain a new perspective. In this book, the reader will be challenged on the pro-death penalty stance as well as the justice system itself.

What a great read! Neither myself or my husband could figure out the end. It was a grab your seat legal thriller that was full of twists and turns with plots and mini-plots. If you like mysteries, enjoy a little romance thrown in, and want your sensibilities challenged, this is a great book for you.

Kathy Stutzman

Public Relations Assistant