Monsters Inc.

This June 20th marked the 39th anniversary of one of the most classic monster movies of all time. Based on an original novel by Peter Benchley, Jaws was a smash hit that briefly held the record of the world's highest-grossing film (Star Wars would claim the top spot just a few years later). With an Oscar-winning score, and one of the most famous film lines in Hollywood history ("You're gonna need a bigger boat"), this story of a great white shark terrorizing the tourists of Amity Island arguably invented the modern-day summer blockbuster.

But "Bruce" (the nickname given to the giant, animatronic shark used in shooting the film) was not the first great movie monster, and certainly not the last. Read on to see our top five picks of the film world's most famous -- and infamous -- movie monsters.


-- Request the film "Jaws" from the Catalog

-- Request the book "Jaws" from the Catalog



5. The Alien

Killer aliens have been a dime a dozen in Hollywood for decades, showing up in everything from The Avengers to Independence Day. But for the ultimate in alien monsters, the title character of director Ridley Scott's Alien series is surely in the top spot.

These monsters have a complex -- and completely horrifying -- growth cycle, implanting their eggs inside human hosts only to have their baby "chestbursters" live up to their names in gruesome and bloody film spectacle. Luckily, Sigourney Weaver's tough-as-nails Ellen Ripley is exactly the heroine needed to keep these Aliens, and their Queen, at bay.

Still, even with Ripley on the side of humanity, this is one movie monster you wouldn't want to meet!

-- Request "Alien" from the Catalog

-- Request "Aliens" from the Catalog

-- Request "Alien 3" from the Catalog

-- Request "Alien Resurrection" from the Catalog



4. Cujo

From artist Laz Marquez

He didn't start out a monster. Before being bitten by a rabid bat, Cujo was a sweet and good-natured St. Bernard, who wanted nothing more than to be a good dog and please his masters. Of course, it's precisely his gentle nature that makes Cujo's transformation from family friend to rabid beast so horrifying.

Both the film and the original Stephen King novel follow the story of Donna Trenton and her young son, Tad. Though Cujo is not the Trentons' dog, it is Donna and Tad who end up trapped in a stalled car, facing off against the now-monstrous Cujo. With no way out and no way to contact help, it becomes a race against time for Donna to get herself and her young son to safety. And if you think you know how the story ends, well ...

-- Request the book from the Catalog

-- Request the film from the Catalog



3. Gizmo

This cuddly little stuffed animal doesn't look deserving of a place on a list of classic monsters. But that's the thing about gremlins: if you want to keep them cute and cuddly, there's three very specific rules to follow. Don't get them wet, don't expose them to bright lights -- and, whatever you do, no matter how much they beg, never feed them after midnight.

But, of course, nobody wants a monster movie where everything goes according to plan. When young Billy Peltzer fails to follow the rules about his new pet, hilarity -- and horror -- promptly ensue. While it's a bit of family-friendly fare for older kids, this movie is notable for helping to bring about the classification of a new movie rating: PG-13.

-- Request "Gremlins" from the Catalog



2. King Kong

He's not completely monstrous -- maybe just a little misunderstood. Kong, a giant gorilla living a solitary life on a little-visited island, is captured by an ill-intentioned filmmaker who plans to bring Kong back to New York City and show him off as "the eighth wonder of the world."

This goes off about as well as can be expected, and the only thing which keeps Kong from bringing down the whole city is a squadron of fighter jets ... and Ann Darrow, the beautiful actress who Kong wants only to protect. The film ends with another line that lives on in movie history: "Oh, no, it wasn't the airplanes ... it was Beauty killed the Beast."

-- Request the classic film from the Catalog

-- Request the 1976 remake from the Catalog

-- Request the 2005 remake from the Catalog



1. Godzilla

With 28 films made by the Japanese production company Toho Studios (and several more American adaptations), Godzilla is arguably the most famous movie monster of all time. Originally appearing on the silver screen less than a decade after the World War II atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Godzilla himself served as a metaphor for the horrors of nuclear power. Awakened and fueled by nuclear energy, Godzilla had catastrophic effects on the cities he attacked.

At least, at first. As time went on, and Godzilla became embedded in the public consciousness, the character saw a shift -- changing from mindless monster to unlikely hero. These days, a Godzilla movie is more likely to show this dinosaur-like creature fighting off other monstrous "enemies" and saving the humans around him -- as can be seen in the new blockbuster film released this summer.

(And no, we don't speak of the 1998 Matthew Broderick film. We just don't.)

-- Request the original 1954 film from the Catalog

-- Request "Mothra vs. Godzilla" from the Catalog

-- Request "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah" from the Catalog

-- Request  "Godzilla: Final Wars" from the Catalog

Listen to the classic "Jaws" theme here

-- Post by Ms. B 

Staff Recommendation #31: Veronica Mars

If you are already a fan of the television series Veronica Mars, you will understand the above reference. If not, you really should rectify that!

Veronica Mars, starring Kristin Bell, was a modern day Nancy Drew/high school drama set in Southern California. The show ran for three short seasons (2004-2007), much to the dismay of its many die hard fans.

The first season follows Veronica, her new best friend Wallace and assorted other friends, through the trials and tribulations of dating, homework and plans for the future, all the while trying to solve crimes. The main mystery surrounds the death of her best friend Lily Kane, the daughter of a computer software magnate and the sister of her boyfriend Duncan. Each season featured one season long mystery that Veronica is trying to solve along with a variety of puzzles and problems that her classmates hire her to figure out.

We also get to experience Veronica's life with her single father Keith, a private investigator in Neptune, a fictional suburb of San Diego. Keith is the former sheriff who lost his job over his handling of the Lily Kane murder.

While the show had an early exit, it has lived on in the hearts of its devoted fans. Which also includes creator Rob Thomas and star, Kristin Bell. For many years they attempted to get a movie made, but the studio wasn't willing to spend the money. Then came along this little website called Kickstarter and everything changed. The campaign began on March 13, 2013 at the crowd sourcing site. The goal was $2 million. They reached it in just 10 hours! They ultimately raised over $5 million. 

The film, released in March 2014, was well received by most critics and fans. It picks up the story 10 years after the end of the show with Veronica now living in New York City attempting to land her first job as a lawyer. She returns home to Neptune to help out her ex-boyfriend Logan, who has been accused of murdering his girlfriend. Along the way she hooks up with many of her old high school friends (and enemies!). The story is continued in a novel Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line from creator Rob Thomas. A second book will be published in the fall.

I missed Veronica Mars the first time around, but I recently did a bit of binge watching and now am a dedicated Marshmallow! The devotion of the cast and the fans intrigued me and once I started watching I could see why. The issues and problems that teens deal with in high school were handled in a realistic manner. Even as an adult I couldn't help but identify with Veronica's feelings of isolation from her former friends and her difficulty making many new ones. 

For many fans the big draw was the turbulent relationship between Veronica and Logan. But for me, the strongest relationship of the show is the one between Veronica and her father Keith. After her alcoholic mother abandons them both, the bond between father and daughter grows even stronger. It was refreshing to see such a solid father-daughter relationship on television. Throughout the series, and the film, they have their differences but their support for each other is unwavering. 

So if you are looking for a well-written mystery/high school drama, look no further than Veronica Mars. You won't be sorry!

From the Catalog: 

- Veronica Mars -- season one [DVD]

- Veronica Mars -- season two [DVD]

- Veronica Mars -- season three [DVD]

- Veronica Mars -- the movie [DVD]

- Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line [book]

--Post by Tracy

Hold your hats, Keep your seats!

The Thunderbolt at Kennywood Park

I am not a thrill seeker. Quite the opposite, in fact. But I do love roller coasters (well, at least some of them!). Unfortunately, due to some minor health issues, it doesn't look like I'll be riding any roller coasters any time soon. But it won't stop me from my fond memories of riding The Thunderbolt at Kennywood Park or The Beast at King's Island in Ohio. There are many other rides to enjoy at an amusement park, but it just isn't the same without riding at least one roller coaster.

Switchback Railway at Coney Island Park

The first roller coaster designed for an amusement park was the Switchback Railway at Coney Island in 1884 (some sources say June 16, while others say June 13). It was mild compared to today's coasters. The Switchback consisted of two tracks that ran in opposite directions. Passengers would climb to the top of one tower and ride the car 600 feet down the beach, where they would get out and climb another tower to ride back in the other direction. Oftentimes, passengers would have to help push the car to the top of the tower! Nevertheless, our love of roller coasters would never be the same again.

Ice Slides in Russia, 16th century

The history of roller coasters goes back much further than 1884 though. In the 16th century, during the reign of Catherine the Great of Russia, ice slides were built that took riders down hills on sleds with runners. This was very popular, but Catherine wanted to be able to go on these rides in the summertime as well. And since she was Empress, she got sleds that were built with wheels.

And what about today? What roller coaster is America's favorite in the twenty first century? If you search the internet, you will get many answers to that question based on different criteria. Some people like wooden coasters, others will only ride steel. There is a list for for every taste.

So here are five that seem to pop up the most often on those lists.

-- Bizarro (Six Flags New England) - This coaster has 5,400 feet of track and starts things off with a 221 foot drop into an underground tunnel. Bizarro is over 3 minutes of non-stop fun!

-- El Toro (Six Flags Great Adventure) - This ride, one of the tallest and fastest wooden coasters in the world, has a 176 foot drop at a 76 degree angle. El Toro was voted the #1 Wooden Coaster in the World by the 2011 Internet Coaster Poll.

-- Millennium Force (Cedar Point) - At one time this was the fastest and fastest coaster in the world. And just because it's been surpassed, don't think you'll be getting off easy. This two minute ride features a 300 foot drop from the first hill with speeds reaching over 90 mph.

-- Nitro (Six Flags Great Adventure) - The first hill of this steel coaster is a whopping 233 feet. They say you can see Philadelphia (almost 50 miles away) from the top of that hill! The ride hits 80 mph on the second hill and there is no looking back after that.

-- The Voyage (Holiday World) - Voted best wooden roller coaster by Time magazine in 2013, this 1.2 mile ride has three 90 degree banks and of any wooden coaster in the world.



--Post by Tracy

A Walk on the Wild Side

It runs more than 2,100 miles along the eastern half of the U.S., crossing over a total of fourteen states (from Georgia to Maine). It's maintained entirely by volunteers; in fact, it's said to be the largest volunteer-run undertaking on earth.

And if you decide to travel it end to end, you'll be traveling it on foot.

Welcome to the Appalachian Trail.

This hiking trail started life as the brainchild of Benton MacKaye. He first published the details of his idea in the pages of Journal of the American Institute of Architects, edited by his friend Charles Harris Whitaker. MacKaye actually envisioned the "AT" as much more than a hiking trail. It was to be less a simple walking path and more a network of self-sustaining communities, filled with hostels, inns, work camps, and farming villages.

While MacKaye's plans were published in 1921, it wasn't until 1930 that real progress was made. That was when Myron Avery, an admiralty lawyer and hiking enthusiast, took over the development of the AT. Avery's aim was to produce not a multi-state nature commune, but a simple (if ambitious) hiking trail.

Despite falling out with MacKaye, it was Avery who mapped out the pathways, enlisted the assistance of volunteer crews, and supervised the construction of hundreds of miles of trail. Formally completed on August 14, 1937, the AT actually received little attention or fanfare for the first years of existence. It wasn't until 1948 that Earl V. Shaffer became the first person to hike the AT from start to finish in a single summer -- bringing the AT back under the spotlight for the first time since its inception.

There are almost as many ways to hike the Appalachian Trail as there are hikers. Some hikers break the journey up into chunks, hiking a section and then leaving the woods entirely for weeks or months, returning to pick up the trip from where they left off. Others are "thru-hikers," marching their way straight through from start to finish. Regardless of how you hike, you need to carry all of your supplies with you -- and that includes water, food, clothes, a tent (for when there isn't one of the AT's handy wooden shelters), sleeping bag, cooking supplies, and a plethora of other camping equipment. (Most hikers are lucky if they manage to condense their supplies down to a 40-pound pack slung over their back.)

You can start at either end, but it's most commonly agreed upon that the sensible choice is to start in Georgia in spring (early March to late April) and make your way north, trying as hard as you can to stay ahead of the worst of the summer heat. Every year, close to 2,000 people set off from Springer, Georgia, with the intention of reaching the end at Katahdin, Maine. About ten percent make the full attempt; 20 percent drop out before the first week's up.

But, as they say: it's about the journey, not the destination. After all -- you don't have to hike all 2,100 miles to appreciate the beauty, grandeur, and adventure of the Appalachian Trail.

An afternoon stroll will do just as nicely.

Recommended Reading

Road Trip USA: Appalachian Trail by Jamie Jensen -- A brief overview of the sights, stops, and landmarks of the AT, divided by state.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson-- A hilarious (and informative) tale of two friends' attempt to hike the AT.

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King -- This unusual King novel tells the story of nine-year-old girl who has only her wits and her Walkman to find her way through the woods of the Appalachian Trail.

-- Post by Ms. B 

The Beautiful Game @ The World Cup 2014

The FIFA World Cup of Soccer is the biggest sporting event in the world and also in my house. My German born husband lives for these four weeks that only come every four years. We will be in a constant state of watching and recording as many games as we can.

Starting Thursday, June 12 with the first match between host Brazil and Croatia, much of the rest of the world will be just as entranced as my husband. While the popularity of soccer in the United States has grown, we are still no where near the level of interest everywhere else.

But the US has put together a competitive team and hope to do well this year. Unfortunately, they are in a group that is known as "The Group of Death" because it will be very hard to advance.

If none of this makes any sense to you but you want it to, then you should probably check out some of the items available from the library and the internet that will explain how the World Cup works and what will be happening over the next four weeks.

I while I will firmly remain a hockey fan, I have to admit the World Cup is very exciting!

The Spanish team celebrating their 2010 World Cup win

From the Web:

-- Your water cooler guide to the World Cup - The PBS Newshour gives a brief account of what you need to know for this year's World Cup.

-- World Cup Primer - An informative, but easy to follow, primer on the World Cup and soccer.

-- Team USA - While the most known and heralded US player, Landon Donovan, was left off the team roster, they still have put together a very strong team. Keep up with the team at the official site.

-- 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil - The official site of the tournament. Read about the 32 different countries competing and keep up on the daily schedule and scores.

-- ESPN Schedule for 2014 FIFA World Cup - ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will be carrying all 64 matches, so be sure to check out this schedule to know when to tune in or to set you DVR.

-- BBC coverage - Since many American fans are huge followers of English soccer, this is also a good place to get the British perspective on World Cup events.

Pelé celebrating a goal during the 1970 World Cup

From the Catalog:

-- Golazo!: The Beautiful Game From the Aztecs To the World Cup by Andreas Campomar - A look at how soccer has shaped Latin America.

-- Why Soccer Matters by Pelé - Considered to be the greatest player of all time, Pelé shares his experience and insight into what he thinks soccer (or football) can accomplish.

-- World Cup: A Nostalgic Look at Football's Greatest Competition by Adam Powley - This book takes an illustrated look at the golden age of the World Cup utilizing the photo archive of the Daily Mirror.

--Post by Tracy

Summer Reading 2014

Summer Reading 2014 @ Monroeville Public Library!

Monday, June 9 kicks off our Summer Reading Programs here at MPL -- for kids, teens, and adults alike. Read on to find out more about our programs for you and your family this summertime season!

For Kids:

Fizz, Boom, Read with this year's summer reading theme! Children who have not yet started first grade can sign up for the Read To Me Club, where parents keep a list of at least 20 books that they share with their child. Older students can participate in the Summer Reading Club, where the goal is to read at least 10 books throughout the summer. There will be activities for all ages, contests, and prizes.

For Teens:

On June 9th, Monroeville Public Library will kick off its annual Teen Summer Reading (TSR) program. TSR is open to all students going into grades 6-12. Students read all summer to participate in a Chinese auction of prizes -- as well as getting the chance to attend a variety of summer activities, from movie marathons and stargazing parties to science crafts and Doctor Who events. There are special weekly drawings for extra prizes, and every teen who reads at least 10 books or writes three book reviews will be eligible for a special gift card. We'll wrap up the summer with our annual ending program party.

Stop by the Welcome Desk to get your rating slips and program packet, or register online starting June 9!

Login here starting June 9th to register and track your Summer Reading.

For Adults:

What elements make up a great summer? Check out Monroeville Public Library's "Literary Elements" Adult Summer Reading Program to find out! The Adult program will run concurrently with the children’s and teen’s programs, so get your whole family involved.

For every book read or audiobook listened to, receive a ticket good for this year's prizes. Our Grand Prize is a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 tablet! Be sure to turn in your raffle tickets often -- we're giving away prizes on June 23, July 7, July 21 and August 4. ALL entries will be eligible for the Grand Prize, drawn August 11.

Also, the first 30 people to register will receive a small prize!

The more you read, the more chances you have of winning!

Login here starting June 9th to register and track your Summer Reading.