“To anyone out there:
I only ask that you care before it’s too late,
That you live aware and awake,
That you lead with love in hours of hate.
I challenge you to heed this call,
I dare you to shape our fate.
Above all, I dare you to do good
So that the world might be great”
-Amanda Gorman, “An Ode We Owe”
If the world feels too cold, everything is too much, or problems are too heavy come to the library! Libraries welcome everyone! We are here for each other and especially for you. Your library is here to help and books are a great place to start. Before you know it you’ll be a social justice warrior. 🦸🏾 Continue reading “Social Justice & Activism for Teens ✊✊🏻✊🏾”
We’ve had several staff blogs about J. R. R. Tolkien (read them here, here and here) but now it’s time to hear from our patrons! Check out what our readers had to say about this beloved book series. Whether you are reading them for the first time or for the umpteenth time now is the perfect time to roast some potatoes, light the fires of Gondor and curl up with these classics! Continue reading “Teen Reader Reviews: J. R. R. Tolkien Books”
I’ve wanted to cosplay for many, many years. Before this year, however, I never had the courage. I always assumed that I would take up too much space, that people would look at me too much. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that taking up space is not actually a bad thing. If people judge me adversely for cosplaying, that’s their problem, not mine. With this in mind, I recently created my first costume! One of the absolutely hardest parts for me was starting. With many projects, it can seem incredibly daunting at first. Luckily, we have many resources here to help with that. Regina made an absolutely wonderful list of costuming books. Though it’s labeled as being for Halloween, many of the titles work year-round! If even a book is overwhelming, keep reading for my list of how to get started. Continue reading “First Time Cosplaying Tips”
Is there something strange in your neighborhood? 🤔
Or something weird and it don’t look good? 😳
That might be because it’s *checks watch phone* spooky season, y’all!!! Many sinister salutations for this most ghastly of times, when all of the delightful frights come out to haunt the moonlit, fog-filled corners of the night with tricks and treats in equal share. If you, like me, wish October took up 301 days of the year instead of the usual 31, welcome to yet another installment of Spooky, Not Scary™, a watch-list for any and everyone who absolutely adores Halloween and its eerie, phantasmagoric cheer, but also may be a bit of a Halloweenie at heart. 🖤🐣🖤
For those just joining in, I give you the following titles that are avowedly Spooky, Not Scary™. Each title is rated on a scale of 0-5 smashed pumpkins. The more smashed pumpkins (which I’ve metaphorically dropped out of terror), the closer the tv show/movie/video is to being truly frightening.
Note: no gourds were harmed in the making of this list, though some may have been consumed. I just found out about St. Louis-based craft soda maker Fitz‘s newest flavor, Pumpkin Pop. Move over, PSL, you are soooooooo 2003. 🎃
You can access the full list here (and volume one here and volume two a.k.a. boo! here); what follows are some of my not-so-fearsome favs with minimal spoilers. But first, Google/Siri/AI being of choice, play “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker, Jr.! #Iain’t’fraidofnoghost #👻 Continue reading “Spooky, Not Scary™ Watch-List: Volume Threeeeeek 🦇”
Do you need help preparing for the ACT test? We have compiled a list of resources to help you navigate this important college entrance exam.
What is the ACT?
The ACT exam is a standardized test required for admission at many colleges and universities. The exam covers four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading and science.
How much does it cost?
It costs $69 to take the ACT exam; this cost increases to $94 if you are required to take the writing test. A fee waiver is available for low-income students; however, ACT requires that you meet with your guidance counselor to see if you qualify.
Where can I take the ACT exam?
The ACT test is offered at several locations throughout Boone and Callaway counties, including most public high schools. Search online to find a testing location near you. Continue reading “ACT Test Prep Resources @ DBRL”
“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy is the most influential movie series I have ever seen. Given this fact, you cannot imagine how excited I was when “The Hobbit” movies were announced. My 12-year-old self was ecstatic. I wrote the date for the first one in my parent’s calendar and reminded them of it at least once a week. I remember practically vibrating with joy as I sat in the theater waiting for it to start. And boy was I disappointed. After the first movie, I was upset, but not terribly. “I’m sure it will only get better!” I remember thinking. “Nowhere to go but up!” After the second, I was distraught. “What did they do to one of my favorite books?” I said to myself, “The third one will be amazing. It has to be, after that.” Little did I know. By the third, I was mad. I felt oddly betrayed by just how bad the franchise ended up being. To this day, ten years, later, I absolutely despise “The Hobbit” movies. How could something that I was so ready to love become one of my most hated pieces of media? Read on to find out. Continue reading “Why I Hate The Hobbit Movies”
Obviously, I am an avid lover of books. In fact, I love books so much that I am one of those people who thinks that the book is almost always better than the movie. Don’t get me wrong, I love adaptations; There are some that are incredibly well done. For instance, the new Percy Jackson series on Disney Plus is insanely good. They did a fantastic job capturing what made the books so magical for so many people. But generally, no matter how good I think a movie is, I still tend to think the book is better. There is just something about the medium of literature that cannot be outdone. This fact holds true for everything except one of my all-time favorite series: “The Lord of the Rings.” If I believe that books are better than movies nine out of ten times, why would I change my mind for arguably one of the most influential series of the 20th century? Read on to uncover the mystery. Continue reading “Why “The Lord of the Rings” Movies are Better Than the Books”
Happy Pride!
If you’re looking for a new, queer read, I’ve got a list for you in every color of the rainbow!
We Mostly Come Out at Night
An anthology of short stories ranging in genres from horror to romance; featuring classic and original monsters and creatures. Continue reading “Read the Rainbow”
If you’ve read any of my other blogs, you’d know that I am a lover of all things fantasy. I pretty much essentially only read fantasy. I play mostly fantasy video games. If I could dress in fantasy inspired clothing every day, I absolutely would. My love of fantasy started pretty young, but the one franchise that really solidified it for me was “The Lord of the Rings.”
I first saw the movies when I was about 12 years old. From that point on, I have consistently watched them at LEAST once a year. I genuinely believe that everyone should watch those movies, regardless of whether they’re into fantasy or not. Here’s my top 3 reasons why: Continue reading “Why Everyone Should Watch “The Lord of The Rings” Movies”
Just like food and shelter, menstrual products are a necessity. Period poverty is a real thing that many folks face. According to the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), the high cost of menstrual products keeps one in five American teens home from school each month. Continue reading “Menstrual Products for All @ Your Library”
