Here at the Erlanger branch of KCPL, we had a great summer reading kick off - Jedi style! There were people in costumes, trivia, crafts, displays, and showings of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. For anyone who doesn't know, Jedi was released May 25, 1983 which makes 2013 the 30th anniversary (and in case anyone is interested, I remember going to see it in the movie theater at least 5 times).

Wearing her now iconic slave girl metal bikini and looking fierce was Princess Leia. Feeling quite uncomfortable and trying to maintain some dignity was Carrie Fisher. Still best known for the Star Wars trilogy, Fisher is an accomplished actress and writer. Her novel Postcards from the Edge is fiction, but incorporates some of her real life, including her relationship with mother Debbie Reynolds. The book was also made into a funny and interesting film starring Meryl Streep and Shirley Maclaine.

More recently, Fisher wrote a memoir titled Wishful Drinking, based on her one woman stage show (which KCPL has on DVD). It does not recount her life so much as dish out information she wants to share with us about growing up, her mixed up family tree, electroshock therapy, drinking - all the stuff celebrities generally don't want you to know. It skips around but I found that I read it as a series of vignettes. When you are associated with something as huge and fan crazed as Star Wars, I think you have to decide if you're going to let it define who you are and resent it, or embrace it and throw away any regrets. Carrie Fisher opened her arms and her mouth and what comes out is pretty astounding.

Last Wednesday, author Vince Flynn passed away from cancer at the age of 47. Known for his intense, powerful, fast paced thrillers, Flynn published the best seller Term Limits in 1997 (after receiving dozens of rejection letters!). Since then, his main character has been Mitch Rapp, an undercover CIA counter-terrorism agent who will defy procedure to stop domestic and international terrorists. If you're looking for a roller coaster ride without paying to go to a theme park, check out Vince Flynn. For more information, read this article in the Los Angeles Times.

Let's take a trip in Mr. Peabody's Wayback machine.

We hop on in 2013, and tumble out in 1976. It's the bicentennial year and things look pretty groovy. Folks are in bell-bottom pants and comfy caftans, riding bikes and roller skating. Can you dig it? I knew you could.

Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City begins in '76 San Francisco, when Mary Ann Singleton from Cleveland moves into 28 Barbary Lane. Then it's time to meet the neighbors, including landlady Mrs. Madrigal who welcomes Mary Ann with a "homegrown" gift taped to her door; friendly Michael Tolliver, broken up with his boyfriend and still looking for love; lothario bachelor Brian Hawkins; and turned on and tuned in Mona Ramsey. An eccentric, fun loving, free wheeling group, they weave in and out of each others lives and in essence become an unconventional, close-knit family. Originally serialized in the San Francisco chronicle, chapters are short and from various character viewpoints. When reading it, really think about that mid-70's time period, and you'll see why it was considered quite the provocative publication.

Tales of the City is the first book in a series. KCPL also carries 28 Barbary Lane, an omnibus containing the first three books, and Back to Barbary Lane, a collection of the next three novels.

There have been four U.S. presidents who were assassinated: Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy. Each instance carries it's own shock, grief, and intrigue. Before I read Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard I knew very little about the 20th President, the research and work of Alexander Graham Bell (other than the telephone) as he tried desperately to make a metal detecting device to locate the bullet in Garfield, or the mad as a hatter Charles Guiteau who believed he was an essential part of the Presidential win, but then God told him to shoot the President.

Perhaps most shocking is that Garfield didn't die from the bullet shot and lodged inside him. The poor man lingered in pain and with septicemia for over 2 months while doctors tried to "help" him. Most of them did not believe germs existed, and so inserted fingers and probes into the wound without washing and sterilizing them first. There were so many things that could have been done, including just leaving it alone. Many men who were shot in the Civil War walked around with bullets or shrapnel because without fussing at them, the wounds would heal themselves.

I knew I picked a good book when I got wrapped up in the story by the second page! Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President lives up to it's title by presenting a well researched historical book that tells a shocking, page turning, true story.

Charles Guiteau. Note the "crazy eyes".

I have a mid-week guest post from our teen librarian Eden! I thought it would be interesting to consider some different formats for adult reading, like graphic novels.

Bunny Drop is a sweet, honest, and unique story that appeals far more to adults than teens. It is the story of Rin Kaga, that little girl pictured on the cover, as she grows up with her adopted guardian, Daikichii. Rin was abandoned by her mother, a busy young author who is a popular manga author. She left Rin with Daikichii's grandfather, who we find out soon enough is the father! Bunny Drop follows Rin as she grows up in Daikichii's care; the two care for and help each other grow and learn.

The art style is different from most manga in that it is sketchy, flowy, and light. There are few dark lines, and little intensity. The characters' expressions are clearly defined and easily felt by the reader, but they're not overwhelming or loud in their drawing style.

I would recommend Bunny Drop for people who want to get into Japanese graphic novels but haven't read any before, or for manga fans who want a more mature, grown-up story.