All the Books from 'Orange is the new Black'

My fascination with the fictional 'Orange is the New Black' on Netflix only deepens as I near the end of seasons that are available for free.  SO, here's some awesome book OITNB references from the Internet:

Slideshow of every book referenced or filmed in OITNB

In fact, the entire article is really interesting.  Author of the original book, Piper Kerman, in a article discusses her experiences and the role of reading in prison.  Huffington links to other fun OITNB images, lists and snippets as well:

Entire Huffington Article with Fun Links

Finally, I MUST post this classic clip of the book funeral (the Ultimate book Return) from my current favorite show.

*The video quality is not so great- but it is totally worth it for the dialogue.  You'll still laugh.
*Also, per usual, there is almost certainly profanity in this genius scene.

Death: the Ultimate Book Return Video

Mental Illness Happy Hour: modern day real life 'Pump up the Volume'

During my early teens and before the internet (!), I was changed by an exciting and seemingly revolutionary film starring Christian Slater and Samantha Mathis.  Pump up the Volume was the first movie that touched my soul such that I rewound the video cassette (!) playing back seconds at a time so that I could copy monologues from the script into my journal.  The soundtrack is just the absolute coolest.  The movie exposed to me the for the first time the breach between "surface life" and unspoken deep inner pain and honest thoughts and feelings.

Paul Gilmartin- the guy who co hosted "dinner and a  movie" on TBS (if you're my age), has created a podcast that reaches the outcasts and solitary.  If you've ever felt loneliness, depression, addiction, abuse, or ever known someone who has, you can be affected by this show.  So basically, if you are a human, and living- this podcast is for you, every one.  The interviews include a most diverse assortment, and the site hosts tons of places for anybody to post feelings that cannot be uttered aloud. Warning, due to the raw honesty of this amazing show, there is strong content concerning abuse in all forms, and profanity (in my opinion justified language in this setting, if you can handle that kind of thing).  I don't really give money to podcasts, but loyally throw my five dollars each month to the "happy hour"- I sincerely believe that this podcast saves lives.

SO remember that YOU'RE NOT ALONE by listening to this:

*** advisory:  strong abuse related content, often profane ***

http://mentalpod.com/

I can't help but wonder if it might have saved lives back then, too.  As a teenager- I'd have been all over this podcast.  It reassures... you are not alone.

Library Patrons in Middle School are just like Library Patrons in Prison

Truth be told, I am binge watching 'Orange is the new Black' (based on the book) this weekend, which has me thinking about the magic of reading in prison.  I write this with absolutely No Authority or personal experience inside juvenile detention centers or prisons.  That said, much of what I've read about detention and prison culture suggests that captive patrons are reluctant readers who are experiencing emotional pain.  One of the best of these books is featured in this book trailer that I made for library school:

So how does this relate to luring middle schoolers to read?  I still remember middle school being the most difficult time of youth because of low self esteem, hormone havoc, and exposure to real life heartache for the first time.  I connect imprisoned reading needs to those in middle school because of reading reluctance and need for processing and understanding emotional pain.  In fact, reading lists for detention centers and prisons have perfect suggestions for the reluctant reader.  Below are some examples:

*** advisory note:  the large part of the books on these lists are YA titles and may contain content or language not appropriate for some middle school readers. ***

Really Awesome List of Reading Categories

Juvenile Justice Center YA Novel Suggestions

List with Three Reading Levels

Outstanding Goodreads List