Read All About It!

I�ve always been wary of books that feature the author�s name in a bigger font than the title of the book. It�s because of my dad. When I was around ten and beginning to read a more advanced form of fiction (tween books instead of kids books), he always used to say there was no need for an author�s name to be bigger than the title of the book; he said that the book must not be good if the publisher feels the need to overshadow the title with the author�s name. Consequently, I have never been able to prove or disprove my dad�s theory on these types of books, as I have never read a book where the author�s name was bigger than, or even the same size as, the title (in my quest to find interesting books). However, that was about to change as I headed to Chestnut Hill, MA, for my freshman orientation at Boston College.
On the third and final day of orientation, after receiving our yellow SuperFan shirts (which we are to wear at each and every sporting event) and watching a video a senior made for us of the entire orientation process, each incoming freshman was handed a brand new copy of Ann Patchett�s Run and, of course, Ann Patchett�s name was just as big as the title of her novel, the closest I have ever gotten to reading a book where the author�s name is bigger than the title. We were told to read the book before returning in the fall, as Ann Patchett would make an appearance at our freshman convocation to discuss the book.
Although I have complete confidence in my university�s choice of novel, I still have my doubts about the literariness of this piece (yes, just based on the cover). I have not cracked the book yet (as I am still reading AIDS-Sutra) but have taken the liberty of reading the inside jacket to get an idea of what I�m in for. In one sentence or less, according to the book jacket, Run is about a loving but possessive father who wants his sons to go into politics (even though they don�t want to) whose ambitions for his children suddenly change when they are involved in an accident involving a mother and her child. The first thought that popped into my head upon reading the small blurb on the inside jacket was my dad was right. Run did not seem like a book that would enlighten my life, change my views, or even put a smile on my face upon reading it.
But BC must have chosen this book for some reason, right?
Although the first impression wasn�t a great one, I�m still giving this book a chance, partially because I�m obligated to, but partially because I would like to prove both my dad and myself wrong in saying that you actually can judge a book by its cover.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Ashley Rayner. Ashley has been an awesome member of the literacy team, bringing her enthusiasm with her all over the Open Books universe. Do not be fooled by this sad little tear drop! Ashley is all smiles. As a writing coach at field trips or a big buddy at Open Books Buddies, the kids love her! So do we, Ashley, so do we. Thank you for spending so much of your summer with us! You are officially an Open Books Volunteer All-Star!

Name: Ashley Loren Rayner
Neighborhood: Beverly/Morgan Park
Job or school: University of Illinois (Library and Information Science)
Open Books programs and events you’ve participated in: Reading Buddies, Printers Row Lit Fest, Field Trips

The 10 questions We Always Ask!

1. How would you spend your last 24 hours if you knew the world would end in the morning? I’d get up early and put out an APB for all the people I love to come to my parents’ house. Then we’d cook all day, play games, and have an amazing party. What better way to end the world than with the greatest people in the world?

2. What was your dream job when you were 5? I wanted to be a doctor like my dad. I quickly realized that I didn’t like blood, and so that’s why I work with computers–their guts only have dust!

3. If you could have dinner with 3 people (real or fictional), who would you invite and what would you eat? I have to admit that this was the only question I had trouble with. I am going to choose some of my favorite storytellers, because unless I narrow it down I won’t ever be able to send this in! First, I would choose Octavia Butler, one of the few Black female science-fiction writers ever. She came to my college, and I didn’t hear her speak. She died not long afterward and I still regret it. Second, I would choose Neil Gaiman. He’s one of my favorite writers, even though he writes some very weird things. I would love to pick his brain about some of his stories. Finally, I’d choose Hayao Miyazaki, the prominent Japanese filmmaker. His movies have an ethereal quality, and I’d be interested to know where some of his ideas come from. For dinner, we’d have Mexican, with plenty of guacamole, my favorite. Sure, it’s messy, but it would taste so good.

4. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? My Nintendo! I loved Super Mario Brothers 3 and Castlevania.

5. If you had one superpower, what would it be? Technopathy, or the ability to manipulate technology. According to Wikipedia, the source of all knowledge, it can be “manifested as a special form of electrical/telekinetic manipulation, a special form of “morphing” which allows physical interaction with machines, or even a special form of ESP that allows for mental interface with computer data.” Yes, I’m pretty much a nerd.

6. What secret obsession do you have that no one knew about before this interview? I tell everyone everything, so I don’t really have secrets, but I
read a ton of young adult science fiction and fantasy. More nerdiness!

7. What makes you laugh uncontrollably? I’m super easily amused, so it doesn’t take much. I am really tickled by my family, Family Guy, Anchorman, The Office, 30 Rock, and Dave Chappelle.

8. What book are you reading right now? I’m always reading about seven books. My current number one book is People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks. It’s very good!

9. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cookies and cream. It’s the best of all worlds: Oreos and ice cream!

10. What is playing on your iPod/record player these days? I wish you could see my iPod…it’s full of pretty much everything and it’s huge. I just went to the Elton John/Bill Joel concert, so I’ve been listening to those guys quite a bit.

Laurie wears many hats!

Laurie has been an amazing big buddy at Mitchell Elementary. Just ask her little buddy, Cheyenne, who has been reading with Laurie for over 5 months! On the last day of our spring session of Open Books Buddies, I listened in and heard Cheyenne exclaim, “I can’t get reading buddies off of my brain! Even when I’m at home, I’m thinking about it! I miss you when you’re not here!” Call it fate, perhaps, that Cheyenne was one of our little buddies for summer session and the pair was reunited! What’s more, Laurie’s reading of Clarabella’s Teeth is not to be missed. Thank you, Laurie! I am proud to name you an Open Books Volunteer All-Star!

Name: Laurie Conley
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Job or school: Grad Student at U of I, getting my masters in Library & Information Science
Open Books programs and events you’ve participated in: Mitchell Elementary Reading Buddies

The 10 questions We Always Ask!

1. How would you spend your last 24 hours if you knew the world would end in the morning? My friends, family and I on the beach with lots and lots of Mexican food and a mariachi band.

2. What was your dream job when you were 5? At five, my dream job was to be a librarian (nerdy then, nerdy now.)

3. If you could have dinner with 3 people (real or fictional), who would you invite and what would you eat? I would invite Barack Obama, Judy Blume and Winston Churchill.  We’d eat fried cheese curds and drink piña coladas and talk about books.

4. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? My cabbage patch kid, Ona Pammy.

5. If you had one superpower, what would it be? Teleportation.  No more commute, hassle-free traveling, visiting friends in the blink of an eye – it would be heaven.

6. What secret obsession do you have that no one knew about before this interview? Well, besides my answers to #1 (Mexican food) and #2 (books), it would probably be board games.  And NPR.  And Craigslist.  Do I have to pick just one?

7. What makes you laugh uncontrollably? When my little reading buddy tells me hilarious jokes about My Little Ponies.

8. What book are you reading right now? I just finished the sequel to The Hunger Games, a young adult book that is FANTASTIC.  I’d recommend it everyone, no matter your age. It’s un-put-down-able.

9. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cake batter with brownies from Coldstone Creamery.

10. What is playing on your iPod/record player these days? Anni Rossi, who I recently heard for the first time opening for a band at The Hideout.  Mike Doughty (always Mike Doughty), Kings of Leon, Flight of the Conchords, and many, many more.

Pitchfork Music Festival 2009 rocked. We would love to thank all of the great people that rolled on by our tent this year. It was great talking to you and we’re psyched that you got in touch with Open Books!

How can you give an owl bunny ears? A happy festivalgoer stops by to find out.

The crowds were a dense sea of brightly colored garments, the food was diverse, yet mouth-watering, and the weather got pretty creative on us as well. We had a great time, thanks to all of our fantastic volunteers who came out to help us spread the word about Open Books and the literacy cause. I’m sure that we all have our own curious tales about Pitchfork, whether they involved rolling around in a giant beach ball, fashioning a hat out of one, or just having a ball yourself.

We hope to see you at Pitchfork next year!

Well, EXCLAMATION!

This has been a truly ADJECTIVE Blogathon, possibly the ADJECTIVEST ever. We had an awesome time using your NOUNs to make our Mad Libs. And although we didn’t get to our 24-hour goal of $2,500 for Reading Buddies, you can always donate  at our regular site to help make literacy a fun and fundamental part of life for our students of all ages.

Our huge, huge thanks go out to Colin, who blogged with us, JudyP, who was our monitor, Colleen, who was our Blogathon team leader, Michael Stagg and Sandria Washington, who got the word (ha!) out, and everyone who stopped by to cheer us on and leave words for us to use. You are all amazing friends of Open Books and we hope to see you at an event or volunteer opportunity soon — or, if you don’t happen to be in Chicago, here at our blog during the rest of the year. Comments are always open and we love hearing from our friends: your support has gotten us where we are in 3 short years, and in 2009 it will help us open our store, expand our programming, and spread the joy of reading, writing, and the 24/7 POWER of used books across the city.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, and to all a good night!