Posts by Ryan P. Donovan

Are you ready for another edition of Anime Addicts? It's a new month, so we had a new anime screening: this time it was all about Kaleido Star — the story of Sora Naegino, a young girl who dreams of joining the circus.

"What if you found a portal to a parallel universe? What if you could slide into a thousand different worlds? Where it's the same year and you're the same person... but everything else is different. And what if you can't find your way home?"

Teleportation. Precognition. Suspended Animation. Dark Matter. Fringe.

"Over the last 60 years 4400 people have been abducted. All at once they were returned. With no memory of where they've been. They haven't aged a day. And some have returned with new abilities. All are trying to reconnect... with a life interrupted."

We've met Anthony. We've also met Matt. We've even met Erin. While those three patrons — attendees at Mid-Manhattan Library's monthly Anime Night screenings — are on the quieter side, none are quite as enthusiastic as this month's featured patron: Bobby! Boisterous and full of endless energy, his regular presence every month has helped solidify the bonds of friendship amongst our anime club. 

"We are of peace. Always."

These are the words spoken by Anna, the leader of the intergalactic strangers known only as the "Visitors," when they first arrive on Earth. Sending 29 ships that appear above all major cities in the world, Anna is able to simultaneously address the many nations of our planet in their various native languages. While she professes coexistence and mutual cooperation, it becomes quite clear early on that the intentions of Anna and the Visitors are less than noble.

There are 12 Cylon models.

This was not always in the case. In 1978, Battlestar Galactica was very different than its 2003 reimagining. Both shows have the same basic plot: the enemies of humanity, the Cylons, are able to wipe out most of humanity in a devastating attack, leaving a ragtag group of survivors aboard the titular ship.

The truth is (probably) out there.

When I was a kid and it was Friday night, I can tell you... I got very excited. Why? The X-Files was on. I was in elementary school at the time, so it was probably wildly inappropriate that I was even watching this show. Those who have seen it know what I'm talking about. If it wasn't one of the overly confusing episodes about the government hiding some sort of sophisticated alien conspiracy, then it was an hour of pure, abject horror.

We are about to boldly go where many people have gone before.

I mean, let's face it. If you've never heard of Star Trek before, you've basically been living under a rock. The Original Series starred William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, cementing their status as pop culture icons to this day.

On the first Wednesday of every month, Mid-Manhattan Library hosts a monthly screening of anime. Throughout this Sci-Fi Summer season, we will be featuring patrons who have been attending Anime Night. So far, we've met Anthony and Matt. Almost 30 people came last night to see a screening of Gun x Sword. Join us next month on July 6 when NYPL at Nite will be showing Sgt. Frog at 7 p.m.

Last year, several young adult librarians and teens selected their favorite Stuff for the Teen Age. One of my favorite titles was a book called The Monster Variations by Daniel Kraus. Now, it's a year later and Daniel has a new book out titled Rotters. I caught up with Mr. Kraus to ask him a few questions about the inspiration behind his dark new novel and why his writing is always so macabre. 

How does Rotters differ from your previous book, The Monster Variations?

On the first Wednesday of every month, the Mid-Manhattan Library hosts a monthly screening of anime. Eighteen people came to last night’s screening of Trigun at 7:00 PM. Next month on June 1st, NYPL at Nite will be screening  Gun x Sword. Last month, we met Anthony. Let’s meet another one of our loyal Anime Night patrons named Matt. He comes all the way from New Jersey to hang out and attend our monthly program. Thoughful and polite, Matt took a few minutes to answer some questions so that we can get to know him a little bit better.

You probably have never heard of the superheroine Vixen before. Unlike Batman or Superman, she's not quite as famous. Although she was set to star in her own series in the late 1970s, the first issue of her comic debut was abruptly cancelled. It wasn't until July of 1981 that DC Comics introduced her in the Superman-centric title Action Comics #521. Gerry Conway and Bob Oksner are credited with creating the character, one of only a handful of African American women to appear in superhero comics. An international hero, Vixen uses a totem that allows her to access the abilities of nearly any creature from the animal kingdom.

The typical reaction I received from many co-workers after telling them that I wanted to go to Rikers Island was, “...why? Isn’t that dangerous?” I considered that question. Would it be dangerous? Quite possibly... but after meeting with prison librarians Nick Higgins and Luis Torres, taking a trip with them out to Rikers Island was never far from my mind. Several times each week as part of the library’s Correctional Services Program, Nick and Luis alternate going out to Rikers Island and to other facilities in order to offer books to incarcerated inmates. Each week, Nick and Luis bring much needed volunteers to aid them. On March 3rd, I was one of those 

To better celebrate Shakespeare month this April, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building will be hosting a series of events this week celebrating the famous playwright. For those of you who can't attend but still want to get your Shakespeare on, here's a list of titles that are either modern re-tellings of Shakespeare's classics or novels featuring and/or inspired by characters he created.

On the first Wednesday of every month, the Mid-Manhattan Library hosts a monthly screening of anime. This spring and throughout the summer, we will be featuring patrons who have been attending Anime Night. Over twenty people came last night to see a screening of Bamboo Blade. Want to get in on the fun? Next month on May 4th, NYPL at Nite will be showing Trigun at 7:00 PM. Bring your friends!

Thank you for participating in this month’s Reader’s Den! I hope you enjoyed reading Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani. Remember, the Reader's Den is always open! You are always welcome to begin reading the book, then come back and post your comments.

A couple of weeks ago, Adriana Trigiani stopped by The Reader's Den to answer a few questions about Brava, Valentine. This week, she returns to answer a few more. Read on to see what she has to say!

This week, I'm introducting a few discussion questions for this month's Reader's Den title Brava, Valentine. Want to participate? Simply comment at the bottom of this blog post.