Just in time for Halloween

Thirsty by M.T. Anderson


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have to read a vampire book for my YA class. Vampires are not a subject I enjoy like some people, but I do like MT Anderson so I decided to give this a try. I was not disappointed; it is an excellent book. His ability to capture the teenage self-absorbtion and confusion is uncanny. How can adult recreate those inane teenage conversations so perfectly?

Christopher is a regular kid, a freshman, just starting to deal with high school and puberty when it soon becomes clear to him that he's turning into a vampire. The book is set in a version of America where vampires and other mythical creatures are just a part of everyday life. This is a savage version of vampirism, not the watered-down Twilight version. In other words, these vampires can't choose to feed on animals and still survive. They can only survive on humans. The book follows Christopher as he undergoes the change and tries to decide what is right and what is wrong. The author's blurb in the back says, "I grew up in a suburb very much like Chris's. It seemed to me that there were always a lot of kids struggling with the isolation of wanting to do the right thing when there was no right thing to do."

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After I wrote this review, I read that the book is an allegory for teenage boys dealing with the struggle of discovering they are homosexual. I guess I can see it, but I'd say it is an allegory about sexuality in general. I can't find any statements by the author substantiating the homosexuality theme.

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I feel unsettled and jittery today. I felt this way Tuesday as well. It's almost as if I'm anticipating something to happen but I don't know what it is yet.

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The other day I had my first negative reaction to pursing an education in library sciences. This took place at the school library where I volunteer. The PTA president, who spends all day every day at the school volunteering, came by the library to say hi. I had one of my text books out and she said, "Why do you want to be a librarian anyway?" with a look of disbelief and slight disgust on her face.

I couldn't formulate an answer straight away because all I could think of was, "Why wouldn't I want to be a librarian!" But I know that's not a real answer, so I lamely answered, "Because I love books and I really love researching." She said (still with the same something-smells-yucky look on her face), "Then be a teacher!"

Um no. Not the same thing at all. I said, "No, I don't like teaching." which is true. She went on to say how she couldn't stand being a librarian, that it would be the most boring job in the world to her. And then she went on to pry into my personal life (So, is it just you and the two boys? Why is your husband in Wisconsin? tell me everything there is to know about you!) If this conversation had been two-sided, it would have felt like we were getting to know each other but as it was I felt like I was under the interrogation lamp, trying to defend every life choice I've ever made.

Interestingly enough, later that day I had the complete opposite conversation with a sweet older lady. Petey has made a friend who calls frequently to ask if they can play together. His friend lives with his granny. That same day, as I went to drop Petey off at the friend's house, granny told me that she used to work as a librarian several years ago. I told her about my conversation with PTA president and she completely agreed with me. She said the best part about the job (and my favorite part as well, I might add) is helping someone research a topic that you're unfamiliar with and learning all about it. I really do love learning new things.

Maybe I'll never be prepared to answer a negative reaction to my job choice. But what those people will never understand is that I just love it so much. I'm so happy that I've made this choice. I don't care what they think. This is perfect for me.