Tech Alert: Google Goggles

Everyone loves Google but chances are you’re going to love it even more in the near future. That’s because Google Goggles is going to totally transform the way you search for information once again. The idea is pretty simple. Users can search the internet with images taken on their cell phones. See a book you want to buy but want to find the best price at all local store? Take a picture on your cell and Google Goggles will find you the answer by searching through billions of images stored in Google's database through a device running Android 1.6 software. Everything from logos to landmarks to artwork is all fair game. This program is still in its early stages but has proven itself in countless demos. Google also recommends taking photos in landscape mode to increase accuracy.

Think Google Goggles will be the next big thing? Let us know!

Big News for Twilight Fans!

The sparkliness of Twilight meets the sparkliness of manga? Brace yourselves.

Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 is set to drop on March 16. Published by Yen Press, there is expected to be a first printing of 350,000 copies. Check out the cover and one of the panels!

Also be on the lookout for the issue of Entertainment Weekly that goes on sale this Friday. It has a Q&A with Stephenie Meyer as well as a sneak peek at some more pages. And since the library carries Entertainment Weekly, you can read it for free!

Book Reviews!

So you thought those cookie reviews that you wrote over the summer would never show up anywhere, well think again! Do you agree or disagree with the reviews – let us know! Here are the first two:

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Grade of reviewer: 8th

Review: Grace is nearly killed by wolves at a young age. A mysterious wolf, her wolf, saves her. Years later when he becomes human, she falls in love with him. The only problem is that this is his last year being human. Will they find a cure for him in time?

Fruits Basket v. 23 by Natsuki Takaya

Grade of reviewer: 9th

A great conclusion to a long and meaningful series. You felt happen for all the characters and saw that their future was a happy one. The curse was finally broken and everyone was free!

The Best Book You Probably Haven’t Read: Going Bovine

Title: Going Bovine
Author: Libba Bray
Audience: Older Teens & Adults

This book is so far and away my favorite read from 2009 that nothing even came close. On its surface, it is a story about Cameron, a slacker teen who find his whole life thrown off balance when he is diagnosed with Mad Cow Disease. What happens next is a roller coaster ride involving Cameron, a hypochondriac dwarf, a feisty gnome, a punk rock angel and one of the craziest road trips in history. But what really makes this story so irresistible is that it can be read either as a hallucination as Cameron’s loses his brain to his disease bit by bit or as a supernatural battle between good an evil. Either way, you’ll love Cameron’s acerbic humor and root for him in his battle against death. This book is a monster clocking in at 480 pages but the characters are so well defined and unforgettable that you’ll be tempted to start rereading the minute you finish.

My other favorites of 2009: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins; Columbine by Dave Cullin; The Everafter by Amy Huntley; The Forrest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan; When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

And don’t forget to check out Libba Bray’s own book trailer on youtube!

Tech Alert: TheOneAbout.com

Everyone knows that youtube is a rad way to upload and share videos with friends. But what about being able to have your friends add to that video to create one monster work of staggering genius? TheOneAbout.com is a super easy program that will not only do that but much, much more. Right now it’s only in its Beta version but you can still create what is called “Tributes.” Basically these are compilation videos of friends or events. Check it out here.

Think it has the legs to replace youtube in the future? Let us know!

Bye, Bye Hannah

It was a sad news day for Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana fans when The Disney Channel confirmed today that the hit comedy, Hannah Montana, will air its final season in spring, 2011. But thanks to the library you can relive all of the fun through our collection of DVDs and CDs. Check out the catalogue for specific titles today!

Movie Monday: 51 Things

HurricaneAubrey took the YouTube world by storm a little over a year ago with this entertaining video that made me think a little bit differently about the stuff I have hanging around my apartment. If you haven't seen it yet, I suggest you take a peek.