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Killjoys

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Recommended TV Series
Series Title: Killjoys
by SyFy & Universal Studios
Format: TV Series on DVD
Who it’s for: [Teens, Adults,]

“From the producers of Orphan Black and the creator of Lost Girl comes Killjoys. This sci-fi adventure follows a fun-loving, hard living trio of interplanetary bounty hunters (a.k.a. Killjoys) sworn to remain impartial as they chase deadly warrants around the Quad, a system of planets on the brink of revolution. A motley crew that always has each other’s back, until a dark secret threatens to tear apart their trio for good. Follow their adventures and discover their secrets with all 10 episodes back-to-back and uninterrupted.”  – via SyFy and Universal Studios

I picked this up because a former coworker recommended it.  I was looking for a new Sci-fi series that was like Firefly, Battlestar Galactica, or Eureka.  The DVD cover was quite attractive and intrigued me. Plus it was produced by the SyFy channel. The show has many similar traits to Firefly, Star Wars, and other science fiction entertainment.  I really like space operas with action, adventure, mystery, a lil romance, and fun.  This show has all of those elements yet somehow they put their own unique spin on it.  It will feel familiar to regular fans of Sci-fi but not exactly, the same plot twists, friendships, villains, rebellions, romance, robots, etc. A good thing (or bad depending) is that the show was not produced in the USA. This means it is short; there are only 10 episodes per season.  You don’t have to carve out 2 months of your life to binge all four seasons. Since every episode ends with at least one cliffhanger, I would suggest you checkout all 4 seasons on DVD at one time.

(Killjoys television series is inspired by the comic series written by Gerard Way, The true lives of Killjoys. The collected issues 1-6 are available in print format in Calvert County and digital format on hoopla.)

I would recommend this to people who like a bit of magical mystery with their typical episodic adventure space show.

Click to Request Season 1-4 on DVD!

Look Big: And Other Tips for Surviving Animal Encounters of All Kinds

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Look Big: And Other Tips for Surviving Animal Encounters of All Kinds
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens and Adults

This easily-skimmable, illustrated wildlife survival guide, both humorous and helpful, explains what to do (or not do) in a showdown with 50 of the most feared and frustrating of North America’s creatures and critters.  As humans encroach on nature’s stomping ground, these run-ins are becoming increasingly common.  From bunnies to bull sharks, cockroaches to cows, this guide is handy for urban, suburban, and outdoor adventurers alike.  The readers can feel empowered to contain a major critter crisis or diffuse a dangerous disaster as each page contains expert tips, fascinating facts, and harrowing true tales of real-life encounters.  What I’ve learned: never turn your back on a goose, assume every moose is a serial killer, and if the mountain lion attacks, “give ’em hell.” Find it in the catalog.

Orion and the Dark

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Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Orion is afraid of many things but his very biggest fear is the dark. Every night at bedtime he struggles to face his fear as his room gets darker and darker. Frightful noises become louder and Orion wonders what kind of creepy things are happening outside his window. Suddenly, Orion is startled when the Dark himself comes into his room! Reluctantly, Orion embarks on an adventure with the Dark and he learns to enjoy the night.
Playful illustrations with vibrant colors draw the reader to explore mysterious noises all around the house. A perfect lap sitting book, Orion and the Dark offers many options to talk with young children about the noises of the night. Through the friendly guidance of the Dark, children can explore the truth behind creepy noises they hear before bedtime.
Find it in the catalog

Strange the Dreamer

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In this beautifully written book, Laini Taylor introduces us to Lazlo Strange, a war orphan with an enormous imagination. Cared for as a child by abbots, Lazlo has become captivated by the stories of the Lost city of Weep. His love of reading only grows as he does and he becomes a junior librarian but he fears his dreams of discovering the Lost City will never come true.

When an unexpected opportunity presents itself, Lazlo surprises everyone and even himself by seizing the chance to follow his dream. Along his journey, he makes friends and enemies both as he unravels the mysteries of Weep and even encounters a blue skinned goddess.

There are stories within stories, brimming with lore and myth that make the world of Lazlo Strange full, rich and one you’ll want to stay in after you’ve finished reading the book.

Find it on the catalog

The Night Circus

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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Format: eBook
Who it’s for: Adults

If you enjoy getting lost in a story filled with magic and mystery then The Night Circus will be a delight. Since she was a small child Celia has been bound into a competition with an unknown rival by her magician father, Prospero. The setting will be an enchanting circus that arrives without warning and only opens at night. Celia struggles through years of difficult training to harness her unique magical abilities. When Celia inadvertently falls in love with her secret competitor, Marco, the game threatens to unravel the circus and all who reside in it. Celia and Marco must find a way to end this dangerous game and save their beautiful circus home and the family of magical performers who live within it. Find it in the catalog

Pacifica

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Title: Pacifica by Kristen Simmons
Format: Book
Who’s It For: Teens and Adults

Perhaps Ross Torres started it.  Tall, athletic, good-looking, the son of the President of the United States, Ross wanted for nothing.  And yet he was curious about the Shorelings rioting down at the docks.  Ross persuaded Adam, his best friend and the vice-president’s son, to slip out of the Torres’ political party. They’d ditch Ross’ bodyguard and see the riots firsthand.

Marin Carey was transporting jars of tar in her backpack through the crowds of the riot.  Her friends and the children they’d taken in depended on Marin.  She had to sell the addictive substance to afford food and water.  Surely she would find a buyer among the crowds at the docks?

The Shorelings rioted because their land was being confiscated.  What else did they have left?  Many hoped to win the lottery and to be transported to Pacifica, a land somewhere out among the rising waters.  However, Marin had been raised at sea.  She’d never seen unoccupied land or an ocean unmired by floating trash.  Was Pacifica real?

The Limpieza, the police, pushed against the growing masses at the docks.  “Curfew! Go home!”

In the confusion, Marin’s bag of contraband was jostled and the jars broke on the ground.  Phew!  She had to get away from its dizzying smell.

“Adam!  Let’s go!” shouted Ross as blood dripped from his black hair.  Marin stumbled into Ross and Adam.  As the police raised their billy clubs, the three fled from the growing threat.

Would Ross, Marin, and Adam solve the mystery of Pacifica and stop the riots?

I was intrigued by this tale of teen friendship, loyalties, and love.  Also, I found the issues of trash, recycling, and resources very real.

Would you like to read it?