Happy birthday to the creator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings!

Thats right, on this day in 1892 J. R. R. Tolkien was born.  His full name was John Ronald Reuel Tolkien and he was actually born in Africa, though his family was British.  Lets learn some other fun facts~

*He once barged into his classroom in full chain mail armor at the beginning of the class

*He was kind of horrified by his own fame.  He considered himself a scholar first and a writer second, so it kind of pissed him off that people knew him only for his fiction works.

*He was a romantic!  He met the love of his life when he was 16, married her at 21, and spent the rest of his life with her.

*He was a war veteran, having served in World War I

*He invented languages for fun (not surprising considering the language of the Elves in LOTR)

*By age 12 he was an orphan, his father having died rheumatic fever and his mother of diabetes

*During his first semester at Oxford for a prank he stole a city bus and took his friends on a joyride

*When his son, Michael, joined the army he listed his father's occupation as "wizard"

Have you seen the Hobbit movie yet?  I haven't yet, but I hope to soon!

October Teen Book Club Meeting

Yes...it's a little late.  I know. 

This month we read:

The questions we discussed were:

**Caution: Spoilers ahead!**

1. General impressions of the book
2. What do you think is significant about the title of the book?
3. Does Bilbo change as a character over the course of the story?
4. Do you think the characters are likeable?  Which were your favorites?
5. Why do you think Bilbo doesn't tell the dwarves about the ring (at first)
6.  Do you agree with Bilbo's decision to bring the Arkenstone to the men?  What would have happened if Bilbo had not done it?
7. Does the story end the way you expect it to?
8.  How did you find the writing style?
9.  The movie will split the book into three parts, where do you think they will make the splits?
10. Final thoughts and ratings.

Melanie gave the book a 10/10 and she said she loved the way Tolkien went from one disaster to another in the story, but still kept you wanting to read it.

Clare gave the book a 10/10 and said theres not much bad you can say about The Hobbit, can read it over and over.


Miss G gave the book a 10/10 and says this is one of the great classic fantasy tales!

For the month of November we are reading:

In a future where most people have computer implants in their heads to control their environment, a boy meets an unusual girl who is in serious trouble.

Discussion Tuesday, November  27th at 6:30.  Copies of the book available at the front desk.

Teen Book Club - Okay for Now

HeyYAs,

The Teen Book Club met tonight.  Here's what we read:

While Doug struggles to be more than the thug that his teachers and the police think him to be, he finds and unlikely ally in Lil Spicer, as they explore Audubon's art.

Heres what we thought:

Melanie - 5.5 - (Did not finish last 60 pages) The book didn't encourage you to read on and enjoy the book, but really loved the paintings.

Clare - 6 - Liked how the Audubon pictures framed what was going on, but the way the book was written the story was too discouraging, so didn't really want to finish it.  (but she did!)

Catherine - 7 (Did not finish) You like it if your prepared for a harsh reality book with some hope in it.

MissG - 6.5 - Found this book very hard to get into and thought that it really only grabbed my attention about halfway through.

Average -  6.25 - Probably our lowest rated book so far!  Oh well.  On to...

October book:

Grab a copy at the front desk and we will discuss and snack on Tuesday, October 30th at 6:30!

Movie Monday - finally a second post!

It's been, what?  Like 3 weeks since the first Movie Monday post?  Sorrry =(  I've been busy!  But here it is, your guide to the YA books being made into movies this year.

March 23 - Hunger Games

November 16 - Breaking Dawn Part 2

December 14 - The Hobbit

December 25 - The Great Gatsby

Sometime in the fall - The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Happy birthday J R R Tolkien!

Happy birthday to Mr. Tolkien, who has given many of us fantastic entertainment from his stories...my favorite is The Hobbit.  What's yours?