BRAIN CANDY IS GOOD

The undead have feelings too. After being passed over for centuries by vampire love and hot werewolves, zombies are finally coming into their own. It's a zombie revolution, guard your brain. Brains, in case you missed the cult classic movies "Dawn of the Dead" or "Night of the Living Dead", are delicious candy to the zombie with a discerning palate and NOTHING can stop them from seeking out more. Here are a few new titles on the continuing saga of the undead and the people who live (briefly) with them. How does one deal with a ferocious, expressionless, unstoppable attacking zombie?

A hilarious twist on a beloved classic is Seth Graham Smith's, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: the classic Regency romance-now with ultraviolent zombie mayhem! Be prepared to laugh ruefully as Elizabeth and Darcy fight zombies, not their love for one another. They admire one another for their equally amazing zombie annihilation skills. Mr. Collins, a character that anyone familiar with the original story deplores, gets what he deserves and more. The undead success of this book has been followed by a prequel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls and a sequel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After, both by Steve Hockensmith. You will laugh out loud as you enjoy tea and crumpets while checking the locks on the doors.

Zombies have also found success with the younger generation. Stacey Jay's You are So Undead to Me combines teen angst with hungry zombies. Megan Berry, the heroine, must save homecoming, work on her cheerleading try-out, and attempt to attract the attention of her crush all while dealing with the dead that are not dead. For those interested in the romantic lifestyles of the undead, there is I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked it by Adam Selzer or the Generation Dead series by Daniel Waters. Whether you love them or hate them, they are sure to keep your mind off of your real problems.


Finally for those who wish to be prepared for the coming of the undead apocalypse, there is World War Z: an oral history of the zombie war by Max Brooks. When the zombie hordes are calling, it will be important to know their habits and how to deal with zombification competently. Mac Montandon's Proper Care and Feeding of Zombies will help provide answers for everyone hosting the ravenous horde. To learn about the inner workings of the zombie mind, try Brains: a zombie memoir or Zombie, Ohio: a tale of the undead.

Brain candy, it's not just for zombies anymore.

It’s NOT of this world

 Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Having barely survived an attempt to colonize earth by an alien, insectoid race, earthlings devise a plan to destroy the aliens before another attack.  A military battle school in space is created where the most promising children in the world are sent to train.  The Wiggins are allowed to have an unheard of third child, Ender, because their first two children were geniuses but lacked the personality to lead soldiers.  Ender's sister, Valentine, was too meek.  His brother, Peter, was too much of a psychopath.  Protected by constant monitoring during his first six years, Ender shows enough promise that the military leaders decide to test him by removing his electronic monitor to see if he can survive the attentions of his brother.  He passes that challenge and now must survive the battle school where there are other students will stop at nothing to win.  Ender is the ultimate survivor but can a child save earth?

The Manitowoc Public Library will be hosting a book discussion on Ender's Game, Thursday, September 8^th at 6pm to celebrate Sputnikfest. Sputnikfest in Manitowoc is a self-proclaimed wacky, tacky, fun event that commemorates ACTUAL space debris from Sputnik IV landing in the middle of 8^th St. on Sept., 6^th in 1962. This year's festivities will be held Saturday, Sept. 10^th starting at 10am. To find out more about Sputnikfest in Manitowoc, visit their website at http://www.sputnikfest.com/.

Discussion Questions for Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

1. Ender's father said that it was better to play the war games and have a better chance of surviving when the buggers came again. He was referring to children playing a make-believe game. How does this philosophy represent the theme of the book?
2. Is it ethical to place children in the position of being maimed or killed? Is it ethical to make children responsible for saving the earth?
3. Is Ender's brother Peter a psychopath or good at pretending to be a psychopath?
4. Ender is afraid that he is a monster like Peter. Is Ender a monster?
5. Colonel Graff is called a monster. Is he?
6. Why did Ender agree to attend Military school?
7. How is the Battle Room useful for learning how to fight against the buggers?
8. Peter has a new focus after Ender leaves. What are his motives?
9. Did Valentine betray Ender by convincing him to return to his training?
10. Was it necessary to destroy the entire race of buggers?
11. What made Ender a good leader?
12. Was it best for Ender to leave earth? Was it best for earth?
     

If you liked Ender's Game, David recommends-

The Maze Runner by James Dashner (first in a trilogy)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (first in a trilogy)

On Basilisk Station by David Weber (first in the Honor Harrington series)

The Giver by Lois Lowry (first in a trilogy)
Matched by Allyson Braithwaite Condie