Stardust

Best movie of 2007 (in my opinion anyway) now available at the library! It's based on the illustrated novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman. If you haven't seen it, put it on hold or rent it from our Zoom Lends today!

I was expecting to be supremely disappointed by this movie, but watching an interview with Neil Gaiman coaxed me into seeing it. I'm glad I did. I loved this movie. This was one of the best fantasy movies I've seen in years. Period. I really shouldn't have doubted Neil. Of course, to be fair, it was actually Hollywood I was doubting which I think is entirely fair. The God of movies is often fickle and cruel, but every so often true gems fall to Earth from his devilish workshop and Stardust is one of those gems.

Recently I started reading Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series of graphic novels. This is the story of the real Sandman, master of dreams, also known as Morpheus, Dream King, or simply, Dream. He is one of the Endless--immortal entities of which there are: Destiny, Death, Dream, Desire, Dispair, and Delirium (and one that fled the fold). The Sandman is closest with his sister Death who is a very lovable character in spite of (or perhaps because of?) her job.

Ichijou Mashiro is one of the top students at his elite private school. But his education takes a turn for the surreal when he’s enrolled in a special after-hours class—one that’s required for graduation. Can he find a way to pass the class without having his deepest secrets exposed? Find out in the manga series After School Nightmare, by Setona Mizushiro. The beautiful art, the spooky storyline, and ongoing mystery will have you waiting anxiously for the next volume.

Crimson Hero is the story of Nobara, a talented teen volleyball player. She dreams about winning the interhigh volleyball championship, but her new high school has just disbanded the girls’ varsity team, citing a lack of interest. Can Nobara put together a team good enough to win--and avoid being distracted by the boys’ team’s star rookies? Put a hold on volume 1 to find out!

Can't get enough of Fruits Basket (aka Furuba) by Natsuki Takaya? Then join us this Friday night at Malletts Creek for a Furuba-themed celebration. We'll be discussing the latest twists and turns of the manga, screening episodes of the anime, and making a cool craft. Light snacks will be provided. For Grades 6-12.

Scott Pilgrim's just another twenty-something slacker living in a cold Canadian town. He's cheerfully unemployed, crashing at his gay best friend's apartment, and playing bass for a truly terrible band. But when a cute Amazon.ca delivery girl starts rollerblading through his dreams, he suddenly has a mission in life: to defeat her seven evil ex-boyfriends so he can win her heart. The Scott Pilgrim series is easily one of the funniest that I've read in the past year. But don't just take my word for it--find out for yourself! The library owns the first three volumes (1, 2, 3). You can also find previews at the official website.

Hikaru Shindo is just your average lazy middle schooler, not anyone you would expect to be interested in old timers' game like Go. But one day he finds an old Go board in his grandfather's attic, and he's the only one who can hear the weird voice coming from it. He faints in surprise, and when he wakes up, Sai, the ghost of a Heian Go master, has become part of Hikaru's consciousness. And after Hikaru meets a go genius his own age, he's inspired to learn the game for himself. Want to know what happens next? Follow the whole story in the Hikaru no Go manga and anime. Interested in learning the game? Check out some of the library’s great books on how to play, or attend a meeting of the Ann Arbor Go Club.

DSKitteh

How better to spend a Sunday afternoon than 5 hours in the basement of the Downtown Library!? We start @ 12 when the library opens with DDR, Wizzywig will be there to sell there wares, and help judge the Cosplay contest (btw no one showed to the contest this summer - which left many $$s in Wizzywig gift certificates unclaimed - don't let this tragedy happen again!) and gab. Then from 2:00-3:00 or so members from the A2 Go Club (including our own Joy) will be on hand to teach and play this ancient, strategic, fun board game. After that we'll be screening anime until 5:00. Food and drinks of course and hopefully you and many friends will be on hand.

30 Days of Night easily has one of the most disturbing book covers I have ever seen, yet I was equally repelled and drawn to the image for months before I was pulled into the "light." And, well, for reasons that are still a little unclear I'm just one of many drawn to this dark and disturbing vampire saga by Niles, Steve. A cult following developed for the entire series - which has now been turned into a movie. The movie stars Josh Hartnett and is set to hit a theater near you on Oct. 19. - check out the books from us while you wait.

If you’ve been following the ups and downs of the Seishun tennis team in The Prince of Tennis manga series, you won’t want to miss the anime—newly arrived on DVD at a library near you! For those of you unfamiliar with the series, it’s the story of Ryoma Echizen, a tennis prodigy who has just returned to Japan after growing up in the states. Watch for the humor, action, and drama as Seishun pursues its goal of winning the middle school national championships. As for the tennis—well, let’s just say the characters have some interesting moves you definitely won’t see on the ATP tour! For those of you who have read the series, comment and let us know which school is your favorite.