So...

This really isn't a library matter. Other than, it's completely distracting me from my librarian-y duties. I watched the season finale of Dexter this morning, and I cannot stop thinking about it! Before any of our...possibly three readers...freaks out about spoilers, I am not releasing any. I promise. I will say, that if I was Stephen Colbert, the "I called it!" balloons would be falling all over me right now. I definitely predicted the outcome of the episode...not in the horrific manner that it happened, but in the overall result. With that in mind, I predicted something that I thought was one of the worst things that could happen. So...yeah. I do have to say that it was beautifully written and horrifically poetic, but horrific nonetheless. I can only expect that Season 5 will be a miserypalooza that showcases Michael C. Hall's ability to be the most lovably serial killer out there.
Now, Dexter has sucked its viewers into a deep, shocked depression. A lot of these viewers, myself included, are most likely LOST viewers. What is wrong with us? The sixth and final season of LOST will be starting soon, and no one is expecting a "happily ever after" kind of finale. I mean, how can it when the tag line is, "The Beginning of the End". It doesn't exactly scream rainbows and kittens. I fully expect to be staring at a wall for a good week and a half after the series comes to a Twin Peaksian conclusion. Thanks so much, Damon Lindelof, for using that as an inspiration. Don't get me wrong, I love Twin Peaks, but we all know that ending gave everyone a painfully cold feeling of empty.
So why am I ranting about my beloved shows? Because, they are fascinating, and beyond well-written. They just tend to require antidepressants as a post-viewing snack. That may not be what it takes to be amazing, but a television show that has the ability to crush a soul is definitely more impressive than a Golden Globe. Yes, that was a cheap shot, but I stand by it.

The Best Years of Our Lives in Books

John Green posted a note on Facebook recently about how books are classified when published, particularly books that are classified according to age group. This is a big deal when it comes to handing out awards. This really resonated with me as someone who often justifies ordering Teen/YA fiction books by the awards attached to their titles.

Controversy surrounds "inappropriate" books that concerned parents believe are not suited to age level. The Graveyard Book and Looking for Alaska come to mind immediately. Pay attention to the comments made by Brandon Pricert; he pretty much conveys exactly what I have come to believe about teen literature, and ultimately adolescence.

Adolescence is a period of transition during which the majority of us are pretty stinking miserable and awkward. It follows that books with teenage protagonists would include some misery. We all personally or vicariously experience some degree of every scenario played out in these books during our teenage years.

Thoughts?

The Teen Library Turns 1: Librarian Edition

We're walking and feeding ourselves now, what a milestone!

Before working in a teen library, I had not picked up a book written for teens in years. Even when I was a teen, I usually chose adult books (being the precocious jerk I was). I now read teen literature almost exclusively. Though I miss grown-up books sometimes, the teen books I have read unexpectedly turned out to be some of the greatest pages I have had the pleasure of turning. I will adapt this post for the Teen Library blog, as well as for the birthday party on Monday. Reply with the top ten books from The Teen Library you have read since October 2008.