Bestselling Books Made Into Movies

Reading the book or the watching the  movie....which do you prefer?  How many times have you read a book and thought it would make a great movie?  I generally prefer to read the book rather than see the movie adaptation.  I feel Hollywood seldom gets the translation from the pages to the screen correctly. One must remember that Hollywood has certain constraints and goals in turning a bestselling book into a movie.  Sometimes Hollywood rearranges or condenses the book's content and changes the story entirely.

I like how reading lets a person imagine the detail.  Watching makes the viewer see someone else's interpretation of the story.  Seeing another perspective can be interesting, but isn't nearly as entertaining as creating a world for yourself.

Was the novel The Help better than The Help movie (both available at the Al Harris Library)?  Was seeing the dinosaurs brought to life on the screen better than imagining the per-cretaceous era in the book, Jurassic Park?

Are there ever movie adaptions that surpass the book? Come by the Al Harris Library and see my display.

Let me know what you think.

Graphic Novel Display: Avengers Assemble!

The Al Harris Library is home to a diverse collection of graphic novels. On May 4th, The Avengers featuring: Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye; will premiere on the big screen.

To coincide with the release of this blockbuster by Marvel Studios, we have assembled some of the graphic novels in our collection that feature those characters who comprise The Avengers.

The team debuted in The Avengers #1 (Sept. 1963), using existing characters created primarily by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby.

Although the concept has been modified, extrapolated and adapted into other media, the core group of characters has endured and remains as entertaining as ever!

Feel free to check out any of these books! Just ask the staff at the circulation desk for assistance.

Favorite Books Event to Celebrate National Library Week

Do you have a favorite book? One that inspired you, informed you, changed your perspective on a topic, or just entertained you? We invite you to tell us about your favorite book!

In celebration of National Library Week during April 8-14, the Al Harris Library is sponsoring an exhibit and book discussion titled "The Favorite Books of SWOSU Students, Faculty and Staff."

If you would like to participate, please submit the "My Favorite Book" form at http://www.swosu.edu/library/forms/favoritebook.asp by Tuesday, April 10. The book discussion will be on Thursday, April 12, 12:00-1:00 p.m. in Group Study Room #2 on 2nd floor of the Library.

Hope to see you at the Library!

The History of Washita Massacre

CATC President Henrietta Mann, President Randy Beutler and Dr. Sunu Kodumthara will be presenting on the history of the massacre that took place at the nationally recognized Washita Battlefield National Historic Site. The lectures will take place on the Weatherford Campus tonight - SCI-Science Room: 208 at 6pm.

The site protects and interprets the setting along the Washita River where Lt. Col. George A. Custer led the 7th U.S. Cavalry on a surprise dawn attack against the Southern Cheyenne village of Peace Chief Black Kettle on November 27, 1868.

Science Fiction Writer Philip K. Dick

March 2, 2012 was the 30th anniversary of the death of science fiction writer Philip K. Dick. The work of PKD has had a growing influence upon fiction and movies throughout those 30 years. He lived long enough to see some of the daily takes for the movie "Blade Runner" but did not get to see the project completed and released.

Since "Blade Runner" a number of PKD titles have inspired big production movies. Most recently "Adjustment Bureau" has been in the theaters and "King of the Elves" will soon be released by Disney. More important than specific movie-makes of his works is the style of a PKD story that includes alternative realities, mutated beings, and paranoia. These elements have become a mainstay of contemporary movie making whether or not they are directly inspired by a work of PKD. "The 6th Day" is an excellent example.

The movies have contributed to the continuing interest in the novels and short stories of PKD. His body of work has finally managed to stay in print. Regard for his unique brand of story-telling has increased with each decade. At this point academic works are being written that give him credibility as an American literary figure.

The Al Harris Library has included the work of Philip K. Dick in its collection development. Among recent acquisitions are his mainstream novels written early in his career and abandoned upon repeated rejection. Some have only been available in print during the past few years.

Also, recently added is the 2011 publication of "The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick". This work is a portion of over 8,000 pages of personal journal entries that he wrote from 1974 until his death in 1982. He uses his own fiction as a springboard for grappling philosophically with events in his life. We have also included recent biographical and academic works about PKD.

Career Guidance For University Students

Graduation time is fast approaching and with it, the need for good, practical career advice.  Students should keep in mind the following concepts:  (1) Your first job out of college is not likely to be the same type of work as what you will do in 12 to 15 years, so be open to the excitement of change;  (2) What you think is so important, like making lots of money now, may well change in the future;  (3) If you are unsure of what to do, continuing in graduate or professional school may not be the best choice;  (4) Others will continue to have an impact on your job life, so do not "burn the bridges behind you" when you get or change jobs in the future; and, (5) Don't be discouraged if today's "job availability" is not what you desire when you graduate - Better days are coming.  Although these "tips" are not perfect, they may help you reduce future regrets about your career path and education choices.


In addition to job information, this display also includes books about resumes and interviewing techniques. Keep in mind the Career Services office at SWOSU, located @ STF 209.  The mission of Career Services is to provide services for all SWOSU students and alumni.  They will be glad to assist individuals in securing internships, summer work opportunities, and full-time employment.

The Grave of the Titanic

Apirl 15, 2012 will be the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

A webpage from The Gulf of Maine Research Institute describes: "At 11:40 PM on April 14, 1912, she struck an iceberg about 400 miles off Newfoundland, Canada. Although her crew had been warned about icebergs several times that evening by other ships navigating through that region, she was traveling at near top speed of about 20.5 knots when one grazed her side."

"Less than three hours later, the Titanic plunged to the bottom of the sea, taking more than 1500 people with her. Only a fraction of her passengers were saved. The world was stunned to learn of the fate of the unsinkable Titanic."

This horrific event has sparked many imaginations over the past century and inspired projects from disciplines as varied as: History, Fiction, Movies, Engineering, and Deep Sea Exploration. See our library display showing examples of books and movies available for you to check out on the subject of the Sinking of the Titanic.