Sadako at the End of the World, by Koma Natsumi

Remember the creepy cursed girl from the movie, The Ring? The one with the hair who met her demise at the bottom of a well and, somehow, created a cursed videotape that would bring a horrible death to anyone who viewed said tape? Yeah, that girl.

Well, when I first saw that movie, it terrified me beyond all rationality. Of course I watched it alone. In a creepy pitch-black apartment. And, at the time, I had this old TV with a screen that would glow faintly for several minutes after I switched it off. Oh yeah, and a friend just happened to call shortly after I'd finished watching the film. Not a good combination all around. Needless to say, I've avoided the movie and everything to do with it since.

Until now, that is.

Enter Sadako At the End of the World, the delightfully twisted (and also twistedly hilarious) graphic novel by Koma Natsumi. The story opens when two apocalypse survivors happen upon the infamous cursed videotape. Of course they watch it and of course Sadako crawls from the TV, intent on bringing death and destruction in her wake. Imagine the cursed girl's surprise when the intended victims excitedly embrace her as a New Friend, rather than the bringer of their demise. The girls decide to help their new pal break the curse and travel around a ruined landscape, seeking more victims friends with whom they can share the video. When the last survivor has happily accepted their fate (much to Sadako's surprise), will the curse finally be broken? Or will there be one final twist to the story?

Although not a fan of the (backward to me) Manga format, I braved it so I could read this amazing story. The plot was twisted and funny and strangely endearing and 100% creative. I loved how the two heroines so openly befriended the movie monster, despite her creepiness and desire to kill...and the way Sadako's perspective on the world changed (yes, she became a different person at the end of the story).  

Am I still creeped out by the movie? Yes. Absolutely! 

But would I watch it again with this book in mind? Maybe... But I'd be switching my ringer to "silent" if I did. No promises, though...

This book, though... Awesome!!

--AJB

Daria (the complete TV series)

I totally get that representation in books, TV Shows, and Movies needs to be Real in order to be taken seriously, but sometimes things beg to be poked fun of. Like High School and, more accurately, high school clichés. 

Lately, I've been revisiting Daria, an hilarious and, often, on-point TV series from the 1990s that was actually a spinoff of a much more well-known and controversial show (Bonus Points if you can name said show without Googling). Daria tastefully pokes fun at all the standard tropes of the High School Movies and TV Shows that were so popular in the last few decades of the twentieth century: Mean Girl Cliques, Dumb Jocks, Flaky Cheerleaders, Nerdy Smart Kids, and don't forget Clueless Parents and Out of Touch Teachers. All of this filtered through the eyes of the show's cheeky, sarcastic heroine. Of course the show has a lot of heart as well, sometimes addressing more serious topics as (freakin') friendships, relationship dynamics, self esteem, and death (but never so seriously things veer into After School Special territory). The show is funny, smart, and, although cliché (purposefully I assure you), holds up today.

If you're looking for a bit of 1990s nostalgia without committing to a full-length movie, an episode or two of Daria is a good place to start. I bet you'll be hooked and end up binging the whole thing! 

--AJB

Sweet Revenge, by Heather Kim

I've been feeling a bit angsty this past week or so (No particular reason or person causing this angst, just life in general being dramafied...and I'm totally OK now, though, thankyouverymuch!), so I'm talking a break from Back To School Books to blog about something very near and dear to my heart: Dessert!

Back to School is overrated anyway. It's like New Year's. Once the supplies and new clothes have been shopped for and the excitement of seeing all your friends again has passed, you find yourself sitting in an uncpomfortable desk, under the harsh shine of the florescent lights, listening to some teacher drone on about whatever... and you find yourself wondering what all the hype was for. Because it's not a fresh start. It's just another (school) day.

But desserts!!

Angsty ones!!

Without further ado, I give you Heather Kim's culinary masterpiece, Sweet Revenge: Passive-Aggressive Desserts for Your Exes and Enemies. 

So... You know that cheating ex who broke your heart & crushed your soul, friend who turned ghost for no reason, or resident bully who will not leave you alone? Well, doing something just as terrible to them might feel good in the moment, but there's a good chance you'll feel guilty about it later (like any decent person would). Also, you don't want to rack up a negative tab with Karma. But what to do? Kim suggests baking them something tasty.

But wait, you say. Why would I want to bake that jerk anything? Isn't that, like, doing something nice? 

I believe Kim said it best in her book intro: "Get out your heaviest rolling pins, sharpest cleavers, and most blistering torches, and kill your enemies & exes...with kindness."

Besides, doing something actually nice for those who have scorned you will totally throw them for a loop. It'll make them lie awake wondering about your motives and what that batch of Go Fudge Yourself brownies or I don't Give a Fig cookies could really mean. It's really very diabolical.

And BONUS! channeling all your heartbreak and rage into doing something creative and beautiful is probably the best way for you, personally, to deal and heal. Just ask Taylor Swift. (or Alanis Morissette for you Gen X-ers out there)

p.s. This book is great even if you don't have anyone in mind to get revenge upon. 

 

--AJB

Giant Days, by John Allison

Hands down, my favorite Back To School book isn't even a book...it's an entire series! 

I was introduced to Giant Days, the college-themed graphic novel saga by John Allison, when it caught my curious eye on the New Book shelf. This way back in 2016, and I've since re-read it twice and am on my third re-read. The plot follows the misadventures of Esther, Susan, and Daisy, three unlikely friends braving the (sometimes calm, but often turbulent) college waters. The quirky, slice-of-life humor and character interactions/relationships is very reminiscent of the TV show, Friends. At least it was to me. Which is what got me hooked.

Because this is a series, I couldn't even begin to describe everything that happens...or even one particular plotline. But I will say that Giant Days is just a lot of fun and a series you really can't go wrong with. And (BONUS!) you'll be happy to learn that this series is not only several volumes long, but it's complete. Not a cliffhanger in sight. So, that said, it's safe to binge away!

--AJB

The Moth Diaries, by Rachel Klein

It's always hard when someone you always thought was your BFF suddenly drops you for a new BFF. But just how far would you be willing to go to win back your friend? And what about the person your friend has replaced you with? Let's consult Rachel Klein's short, but suspenseful novel The Moth Diaries for the more dysfunctional approach.

Upon returning to her exclusive private school, an unnamed narrator is obviously upset when her longtime BFF, Lucy, is suddenly more interested in hanging out with mysterious new girl, Ernessa. Sure, our girl could have tried to befriend Ernessa as well. She could have suggested the three of them go grab a coffee together or something. But no... Instead she observes, spies, stalks, sneaks, and, like a twisted version of Nancy Drew, records all she sees in her journal (which is what we have here). And she reaches the unlikely conclusion that Ernessa is secretly a vampire who has chosen Lucy as her next victim. And we're not talking the sort of Vamp who is the stuff of a Mid-2000s paranormal romance novel, but the real sort. The scary sort. (so no sparkles here)

I know, right. It sounded crazy to me too. But as I read the "evidence" in this journal, I became increasingly convinced that maybe, just maybe, the narrator was on to something here. Maybe. I won't say more. I won't spoil. You'll have to read The Moth Diaries for yourself and see what you think: Is Ernessa really a vampire? Or is she just a somewhat strange girl who innocently happened to get between an unstable and unreliable narrator and her Bestie?

I won't tell you what conclusion I arrived at. But I can recommend it as a great read!

--AJB

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek, by Maya Van Wagenen

Today we travel into the realm of true stories with Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek, by Maya Van Wagenen.  Think a book is just a book and can't change your life? You may have a different opinion after reading this:

Penned when the author was still in middle school, Popular details how a teen who began at the bottom of the social ladder gained confidence and popularity using a surprising tool: A how-to-be-popular guide from the 1950s.

When Maya ended her seventh grade year, she claimed she was only a little more popular than substitute teachers (so not at all). She wasn't bullied or anything. She just didn't exist. Then her dad discovered Betty Cornell's Teenage Popularity Guide while cleaning, Maya thought, "Why not?". She decided to try an experiment: Going through the book chapter by chapter and incorporating tools like can curlers, pearls, proper diet & exercise, and other things suggested by the book, Maya gains confidence and develops a whole new outlook. And, naturally, the way the world responds to her changes as well. Does Maya become Queen Bee of her school? Maybe her transformation was not quite that extreme (because that sort of thing only happens in 80s movies), but it was certainly an improvement. So her experiment was a success. More so than she ever could have imagined. Maya even gets to meet her hero, the author of the book that changed her life for the better. So an extra happy ending!

Popular is a fun read. Maya is very likable and her writing style is so accessible you don't even realize you're reading nonfiction.

100% recommended!

--AJB

Withering Tights, by Louise Rennison

Admittedly, yesterday's featured book, although awesome, was pretty serious and heavy. And there was virtually nothing cute or fun about it aside from an ambiguously hopeful ending.

Today, to make up for yesterday's bookish seriousness, I'm going the opposite route with Withering Tights, a comedy of errors by Louise Rennison. This fabulous book stars Talulluah Casey, a charming and quirky aspiring actress who hopes to get her Big Break while attending the famed arts academy, Dother Hall...or at the very least not break anything. Bones or otherwise.  But even more so than fame, Talullah hopes to meet some snogworhy boys ("Snogging" for those not in the know is the same as kissing...so yes, this IS a "Kissing Book"). This book details the misadventures of Talullah and her bonkers friends during their first year at Dother Hall. Oh...and there are squirrels, owls, Irish dancing, and an abundance of British slang to boot. This one had me literally laughing out loud. 

To say any more would spoil everything.

This one is 100% recommended!

-AJB

If I Was Your Girl, by Meredith Russo

With school starting up next week (already? I know! I can't believe it either), I thought I'd post some reviews of books about people going back to school.

Meredith Russo's amazing book If I Was Your Girl casts the spotlight on a very real issue facing, not just teens, but people of all ages: Identity. 

After some trouble that left her physically and emotionally scarred, Amanda is getting ready to begin a new school in a new town. No one knows her here. No one knows what happened before. No one knows who Amanda used to be. And although Amanda is still apprehensive about trusting people, she sees this move as the perfect opportunity to leave her past behind and make a fresh start.

She didn't foresee Grant or that she would fall for him...or he her. For most other girls, the possibility of a new romance with a handsome jock wouldn't be an issue, but for Amanda it comes with a whole lot of potential problems. Because Amanda has a secret that would change everything:

Amanda used to be Andrew.

This is a secret Amanda would do anything to protect, because the bullying backlash of her coming out was so severe she was forced to leave not only her old school, but her old town. For the first time, she's happy in her new life, and she doesn't want history to repeat itself. But the closer she gets to Grant, the harder it is for her to keep her identity (and her past) a secret.

If I Was Your Girl was astonishingly good! It perfectly (I imagine) paints a stark and real portrait of what it's like to be a Transgender teen in a world that can still be pretty harsh and unaccepting of such a status (although, fortunately, things are much better today than they were when I was a teen in the 90s). Amanda is a character readers will want to root for and see her finally get her Happily Ever After...or at least find a happy place where she can 100% be herself. 

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for the courage to be themselves, whatever that might mean to you. --AJB 

Throwback Thursday: Legend (dvd)

When it comes to Old School Fantasy Movies, two films from my childhood stand out as no-fail go-to's. The first is The Princess Bride (I mean, obviously). The second is Legend. And while the former is awesome for more reasons than I can explain (or sum up), the later has its own unique charms. It is also quite a but darker. Darker, even, than The Machine and Pit of Despair combined.

Legend begins with a budding romance between a Princess Lily and Jack, a forest boy. In their naivety, they cause a gaggle of goblins to capture a unicorn, which, in turn, unleashes an eternal winter upon the world. Now Jack must team up with a rag-tag band of faeries and pixies to defeat the Lord of Darkness, free the unicorn, and rescue Princess Lily...who, in typical fairytale fashion, got herself kidnapped in the process. Naturally, our hero saves the day, wins the heart of the damsel, and vanquishes the bad guy (or does he?).

This movie is the perfect blend of fantasy with just a touch of creepiness. The costumes are gorgeous and the special effects are pretty fab for a time long before the introduction of CGI. Definitely worth watching! And you're in luck, because OPL just happens to own a copy of Legend!

Trivia: Did you know the director hated the theatrical version of the movie so much he eventually recut it for the DVD release...along with a whole new soundtrack? (BIG mistake here! The original was, and IS, infinitely better!). My advice: Track down the original cut.

Trivia 2: Did you know that this movie is rumored to have inspired the plot of The Legend of Zelda videogame?

Leonard (My Life as a Cat), by Carlie Sorosiak

Know this: Animal-narrated books are a weakness of mine. Especially when about cats. And while the star of Carlie Sorosiak's adorable new middle-grade novel, Leonard (My Life as a Cat), isn't really of the feline persuasion, the book was still exceptional!

When we first meet Leonard, he isn't really Leonard at all, but a member of an extremely advanced and immortal alien race sent to Planet Earth to study life...all in the name of science. But Leonard, it seems, is already kind of unique to his species' hive mind. He has been looking forward to this visit for 300 years and hopes to take on the guise of a Yellowstone Park Ranger. A human park ranger. Preferably one with an impressive moustache. But at the last minute Leonard gets distracted and miscalculates his trajectory. So not only does he wind up 2,000 miles from his intended destination, but he isn't even human. He's a cat! But the catch is this: Leonard has exactly one month to study Earth life before he is picked up. But the rendezvous point is in Yellowstone! And if Leonard isn't there when his hive arrives, he will be trapped on Earth forever. Or at least as long as his mortal cat body lives.  

But not all is lost. Shortly after his landing (up a tree during a hurricane), he is rescued and then adopted by Olive, a quirky and lonely tween, and her grandmother. Olive discovers Leonard's secret and agrees to help him get home. But first there is an aquarium to explore, poetry to write, cheese sandwiches to make... and, surprisingly, a family to find. And as Leonard learns more about life on Earth, he learns more about humanity than he ever expected.

Leonard (My Life as a Cat) was adorable! I read the whole thing in an afternoon. The story was fun, full of heart and humor and feels, but it was the characters that really made it stand out. It was exactly the right book I wanted right then, and I'm glad I discovered it. 

Definitely recommended!!

--AJB

The Magic Fish, by Trung Le Nguyen

Confession Time: I've been in somewhat of a reading rut since before the pandemic began. Sure, I'll find a book here and a book there I enjoy, but I don't read like I did before. Not even close. So when I discover a book that holds my interest cover to cover... well, that's worth noting! Even better, sometimes you stumble across the perfect book at the perfect time and reading it is exactly what you needed right then and there. This is what happened with Trung Le Nguyen's amazing graphic novel, The Magic Fish. 

The story centers on Tien, the first in his Vietnamese family to be born in America and grow up speaking mostly English. Tien and his mother read fairy tales each evening so she can practice her English and also so the two can have some parent-child bonding time. But as much as Mom's language skills improve, Tien still doesn't know how to tell his her his big secret. He's not sure there's even a translatable word for it.  But then Tien's greatest fear comes true: His secret is discovered by his strict teacher, who threatens to out him to his parents before he's ready. But maybe fairy tales can help bridge the gap when language cannot.

I loved pretty much everything about The Magic Fish! Nguyen did a fantastic job blending in the fairy tales and making them somewhat mirror what was happening in the main storyline (for example, the twist on the last story's ending). Tien's friends and family were awesome and I loved how accepting they were of him. Overall, a happily ever after (or at least happily) story I enjoyed reading. This book put me in a good mood and I would like to check out more by this author.

--AJB

Throwback Thursday: The Karate Kid

For today's Throwback Thursday, we're firing up the Flux Capacitor and revisiting the mid-80s, when you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing Madonna or Michael Jackson, when neon and BIG hair were the height of fashion, and when you could not go a day without hearing the phrase, "Wax-On/Wax-Off".

And speaking of Wax-On, Wax-Off...

Yep, I'm talking about The Karate Kid. Not the failed remake attempt, but the original. The one with Danielsan and Johnny and Ali-with-an-I, and, of course, the Great Mr. Miyagi. After binging all three seasons of Cobra Kai (twice!), I was inspired to revisit the movie (and its sequels) that was probably a bigger part of my childhood than Star Wars and The Goonies combined. And I've gotta say, having watched (and loved) Cobra Kai, I enjoyed the source material even more!

The story, of course, begins when Daniel, a scrawny teen with more pent-up angst than is probably considered healthy, moves across the country so his mom can start a new job. Daniel pretty much instantly angers Johnny, the ringleader of a karate-obsessed gang of bullies, when he moves in on Johnny's girlfriend, Ali. The two rivals go back and fourth, each trying to one-up the other, until the rivalry comes to a head the night of the Halloween dance. Fortunately for Daniel, a mysterious fighter comes to his rescue...and is later revealed to be Mr. Miyagi, the elderly handyman for his apartment complex. Following a confrontation at Cobra Kai, the karate dojo where Johnny and Co train under the diabolical Sensei Kreese, an arrangement is made: If Daniel somehow beats Cobra Kai's students in the upcoming tournament, he will be left in peace. If not... Well, it's Open Season on both him and Miyagi.

Karate Kid II picks up after the tournament and follows Daniel and Mr. Miyagi to Okinawa, where Miyagi pays respects to his dying father and must settle a decades-old score with an old friend-turned-enemy. Daniel's attitude gets him in trouble when he "dishonors" the nephew of Miyagi's nemesis. Of course, these fights are not refereed. And in these situations, it's life or death.

Karate Kid III brings back Kreese. After the tournament, he lost everything...and is now single-mindedly bent on getting revenge on Daniel and Miyagi, who he believes are responsible for ruining his life. This film introduces two new (and scary) villains, both of whom make Kreese seem not so bad (and that's saying something!). And now Daniel is forced back into the ring where he must defend his title, or else...

You can find all three Karate Kid movies in our DVD area. All are fun to watch and all contain characters and references that appear in the current Netflix series inspired by the films (Go on an Easter Egg hunt! It's fun!). 

--AJB

The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik, by David Arnold

Do you ever take stock of your life and wish it were... I don't know, different somehow? You can't pinpoint exactly how you want it to be different (if you could, you'd work on making it so). You just know that if you remain on your current trajectory, you're in for a dull ride. Or so you believe. David Arnold's novel The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik explores this...and how far one would go to change that.

High school junior Noah Oakman's boredom with life has reached a critical stage. From this point, he believes he can see exactly where his life is headed and, although the direction isn't terrible, Noah hates it. The only things he takes pleasure in is watching The Fading Girl on YouTube, daily sightings of the mysterious Old Man Goiter, and re-reading (and over-analyzing) an obscure book by a long-dead author. But everything changes when, after several too many wine coolers, he confesses all this to a classmate at a party. The classmate then hypnotizes Noah, promising he will feel differently when he wakes up.

And Noah DOES feel different. In fact EVERYTHING about Noah's world is different. Well... Almost everything. Noah's life has become a twisted mystery, but now all he wants is for things to go back to normal. And maybe the key to finding a way out of this new world is not looking at what's different, but what has stayed the same.

Strange Fascinations is one of the best books I've read so far in 2021. It's of those books that makes you think.  One of those books where you start out with all these random pieces that slowly come together, but you're not exactly sure of the direction until the Big Reveal knocks you over the head. And I do mean all that in the best possible way.

To say any more would give too much away. You'll just have to check it out for yourself.

--AJB

My Last Summer With Cass, by Mark Crilley

One of my favorite graphic novels of all time is This One Summer (Mariko Tamaki). So when My Last Summer With Cass, by Mark Crilley, popped up on my radar as a read-alike, of course I had to check it out! 

It's true that Last Summer deals with many of the same themes (friendship, growing up), it stands on its own as well. And although I didn't like it as much as One Summer, it was still a fantastic read, and I definitely recommend it. 

Shy, sheltered Megan and bold, outgoing Cass have been best friends since childhood. The girls spend each summer together and share everything, including a love of art. But then Cass's parents divorce and she and her mom move to New York City, putting an end to the traditional summer get-togethers. The next time Megan sees her, Cass is a different person...and she wants Megan to be different too. So she attempts to push Megan to do something she's not comfortable doing, and Megan pushes back... with disastrous consequences that nearly end the girls' friendship. 

My Last Summer With Cass can currently be found on our New Bookshelf. 

--AJB

The Thieving Collectors of Fine Children's Books, by Adam Perry

Imagine, if you will, if The Neverending Story were penned by Lemony Snicket. This is the often dark and exceptionally cheeky vibe of Adam Perry's wonderfully creative novel, The Thieving Collectors of Fine Children's Books, which details what it really means to Get Lost In A Book.

Oliver lives in a world where everyone is plugged into their virtual reality devices at all times. But Oliver prefers small, rectangular objects called books, which require a little effort on his part and make no beep-beep-beeps (Forgive me, but I've been waiting ages to use that quote! And finally, opportunity arose so I went with it). Besides, Oliver, who lives with his out-of-work single father (his mom is dead), is dirt poor and he couldn't afford a device even if he wanted one. Which he doesn't. Let me make that clear. Kiddo has no interest in the latest technology. Which means he alone hasn't been turned into a zombie by far too much screen time.

So let's recap: Poor hero with a dead parent who loves books and is considered a misfit and a weirdo even by the town librarian... Sounds like the setup for a Disney film. And it could be too, if not for all the... Nevermind. I really shouldn't give too much away. Spoiling everything about an awesome book isn't cool.

Anyway, Oliver doesn't care what people think of him. He's happy to live in his world of stories, reading and re-reading. And stealing his favorites, of course. Wait... I didn't mention that earlier? Sorry. But I'll say it now, because it's worth knowing: Oliver is a total kleptomaniac. But only when it coms to books he likes. And only if he truly believes no one will miss the stolen books.

And no one HAS missed them... YET!

Oliver's luck runs out when he is kidnapped by some truly diabolical people who wish to steal the only existing copy of Oliver's favorite book right out of Oliver's head! And you can be sure these villains have some truly awful ulterior motives for wanting this story. So now Oliver must experience the story and all its terrible dangers in virtual reality format. If he makes it to the end alive, he will be (mostly) free to go. If not... well, it's probably best we don't go there.

The Thieving Collectors of Fine Children's Books is a truly epic story with lots of twists and turns. It's got action, adventure, humor, great characters, and exceptional world-building. Basically everything you want out of a book that's not a "kissing book". It was a lot of fun to read and I highly recommend it.

--AJB

A Perfect Planet (dvd)

I've been a fan of the Planet Earth and Blue Planet series (BBC) for years. These shows are fantastic and like nothing I'd seen previous. Plus, the narrator has a very soothing vibe. I've re-watched these episodes often and they are one of my go-tos when I want to unwind from the day or just need something playing in the background that doesn't demand my full attention.

Which is why I was so excited about A Perfect Planet, the latest nature venture by BBC. 

Although the videography is just as gorgeous as that in Planet Earth and Blue Planet, I have to say I was somewhat disappointed in A Perfect Planet. As a whole, it's a much shorter series that its companions. Five brief episodes that don't do much more than rehash what's covered in other series. So really not a lot of new stuff new to see for this veteran of BBC Nature Shows. Which was a bummer.

A Perfect Planet is still a fantastic series, though. And something I recommend if you haven't yet seen the other series and want to start off with something more basic. But if you really want the best of what BBC has to offer, check out Planet Earth instead. You won't be disappointed.

--AJB  

Fangs, by Sarah Anderson

A Vampire and a Werewolf walk into a club... and fall in love.

No, it's not the setup for a joke nor is it the plot of the latest Twilight-inspired fan fiction. It's the plot of Sarah Anderson's newest graphic novel, Fangs.

Elise is a 300-year-old vampire in the body of a 26-year-old Goth Girl. 

Jimmy is a young man who shapeshifts into a white wolf every Full Moon.

Based on other paranormal romance novels I've read, one wouldn't think this matchup should work out. At all. But somehow, despite their many differences (sleeping schedules, food preferences, spiritual beliefs, and otherwise), Elise and Jimmy are perfect for each other. Fangs is a peek into their life together, which, taking away all the paranormal stuff, really isn't much different than that of a normal couple.

Typically, I'd scoff at a paranormal romance. I mean, it's soooo 2009, right? But Fangs put a cheeky spin on the genre. It pokes fun at all the vampire and werewolf clichés and weaves them into an opposites-attract romantic comedy that totally appeals to the dark side of my humor. And that I can truly appreciate!

Fangs can currently be found on the New shelf. IF it's not checked out, that is. 

--AJB

(Not Quite) Throwback Thursday

Growing up in the 80s & 90s, The Karate Kid saga was one of my jams, second only to The Goonies, which is still one of my Top Favorites of All Time. "Wax On, Wax Off" was part of my vocabulary. And I have a distinct memory of practicing the Crane Kick with my cousins in their basement after one of many repeat viewings of the movie (Side Note: We did not kick at each other, only attempted the iconic technique itself. However, we still wound up bruised and battered, as we landed on our behinds more than we did our feet).  And, as destiny would have it, my husband is a fan of the films too.

Which is why we've recently been enjoying watching Cobra Kai, a long-awaited continuation of the saga. A saga which never seemed finished in my eyes. At its simplest, the show tells what happens years after the credits rolled on Karate Kid 3 and gives more depth to both Johnny's and Daniel's characters (and also their continuing rivalry). But really, it's so much more. There's drama, there's romance, there's humor, there's Good Guys to root for and Villains to hate, and, of course, there are truly EPIC karate duels. All the while, the show attempts to stay true to the tone of the films. Plus, each episode is absolutely filled with Easter Eggs! Fans of the movies will have fun trying to spot them all.

True, I was somewhat concerned Cobra Kai would fall prey to the same Epilogue Curse that plagued both Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, thus diminishing my enjoyment of the original movies. I shouldn't have worried. Cobra Kai is Bad A--!! And I'm 100% happy I gave it a go. The only downside is the torture of waiting to watch the next season.

(Side Note: For more fun, check out the 2007 song and video that inspired the show)

Wayback Wednesday: The Lost Boys (dvd)

Welcome to Wayback Wednesday! 

With the recent release of Midnight Sun, Edward's spin on the Twilight dramaverse, vampires are, apparently, a Thing once again. And while the vampires of The Lost Boys (dvd-1987) don't sparkle in the sunshine as do Meyer's vamps, there is still plenty of fun to be had. 

It all starts when Michael and his younger brother, Sam, move to a small California town. Little do they realize, Luna Bay is home to a dark secret. While checking out the local nightlife, Michael falls in insta-love with the mysterious Star...who he follows back to an abandoned hotel. Here he meets David and a gang of local motorcycle-riding teens. David takes a liking to Michael and invites him to sit down and have a drink. Little does Michael know that David and Co. are vampires and the 'wine' he just sipped is actually vamperic blood. With this, Michael has taken his first step to transforming into a vampire, which he will do upon making his first kill. Meanwhile, Sam befriends a couple vampire conspiracy theorists at the local comic shop and, the more he hangs out with his new crew, the more convinced he is something sinister is going on with his older brother. In their research, the boys learn that the only way to save Michael is to kill the head vampire before Michael makes his first kill. But the clock is ticking. And the head vampire may not be who they think he (or she?) is.

Released more than 30 years ago, The Lost Boys has become a cult classic. The nonstop action, romance, and 80s Glam Rock vibe make this a fun film to watch. And, if you liked it (like I did), you'll be pleased to know there are two sequels. Although, as is typically the case, the sequels aren't as good as the original. 

--AJB

Easter Egg Decorating Kits

March 29 - April 3

Stop by the Teen Department all this week and pick up an Egg Decorating Kit. There are Unicorn and Superhero kits available. 

Supplies are limited.