Novel Idea: New library offers much needed change in scene

By Natalie Calderon

I am trying to find a book to write about, and the harder I think, the more I feel like I have read nothing in my life. And I think, I am not well read. That makes me sad.

I thought about nixing the book column idea this week and making it the Natalie column about whatever she wants to make it about, but then I thought, what do I want to make it about? I don't want to exhaust the music column thing - lthough I did think about defending Mariah Carey's Glitter CD after Nate did a nice job bashing it.

Okay, I saw the movie, and I will admit it's really bad. But, like I said in the review, I think that although she can't act to save her life, she is still a damn good singer. Maybe you don't like her style. We all have different tastes. But the woman can sing. And I like the Glitter CD. It's got a little '80s pep that makes me wanna do the running man, and that's cool.

Anyway, I also thought about the Santa Clara scene, but decided I didn't want to write about campus social life because I don't go to parties, and I'm probably more cynical about this school's social atmosphere than you'd appreciate me to be.

So ... what to write about? I guess I will always be the geek columnist who writes about books. I like books a lot. They make me happy and I want to share my joy with you.

That's it! I've got it. I just recently discovered downtown San Jose's Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. Well, I didn't just discover, I knew it was there all along, but it had been years since I'd been there. So I got myself a new library card and kaboom! I fell in love (I fall in love so easily).

Going to MLK is like going to a whole new world. Everything's so different and thrilling. And - yes, this is the kicker - you can check out CDs and videos, which you can't do at Orradre! It's absolutely fabulous!

Skip over the picture book area and mosey on over to the young adult shelves. When you get there, you'll see books by R.L. Stine, Roald Dahl, Lois Lowry, Beverly Clearly; you'll see titles like Charlotte's Web, Ramona Forever, The Vampire Diaries (anybody else besides me read this series?) and nostalgia will just smack you in the face like an angry woman. It's great.

Two things every college student should have: a library card and great memories. MLK can give you both-for free.

It's a bunny eat bunny world out there, kids. "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."