I’m in love with the graphic novel! I’ve only read two graphic novel memoirs but I’m totally impressed with the combination of images and text. I’ve also created a few digital stories and now I’m obessessed with iMovie.

The first graphic novel I read was El Deafo, by Cece Bell. It’s her story about becoming deaf and adapting to life with a hearing device. It’s funny, poignant, and somehow celebrates difference in a new and magical way for me. In a class discussion it was great to see so many of us becoming fans of graphic novels after reading one very powerful book.

I just finished My Friend Dahmer, by Derf Backderf. The author actually went to school in Ohio with Jeffrey Dahmer, one of America’s most notorious serial killers. I know, why are you reading about serial killers, Alan? Well, I’ve had a fascination with them going back to high school. Helter Skelter, by Vincent Bugliosi left an impression on me about how one man can control the feelings and behaviors of others. (Rumor has it Quentin Tarantino is planning on bringing the Manson Family to the big screen.) Mrs. Courtey’s Criminal Justice class at Falmouth High School was a great introduction to the subject that has been fueled by other great true-crime books including In Cold Blood and The Devil in the White City.

I took three library school classes over the summer and all them required video/digital story component. I thoroughly enjoyed learning iMovie to create these stories. The stories are less than 6 minutes each and contain all the flaws of a movie-making beginner. They can only be viewed by following the link below and signing in with a Youtube or Google account.

For the Maymester, which is just three weeks, I took Traditional and Digital Storytelling (LS 543). Here’s a link to my digital story, Why is My Hero a Villain? This is the first one, so the sound is a bit soft at the beginning.

The Summer I session was a five-week whirlwind that began the day after Memorial Day. The second video, and by far the most fun and the one I recommend if you only have six minutes, is the read aloud I recorded for one of my favorite picture books, The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt.

Finally, my management class (LS 508) centered around leadership and vision. This is the digital story of My Leadership Philosophy.

Only two classes left before I graduate with my MLIS from the University of Alabama! The fall semester begins August 21, so I’ve got a few weeks to relax, take a vacation, and reflect on my ten years of working part-time at Fairhope Public Library. Right now, I’m working on a digital story about my family genealogy for my cousin, Charles Walouke and I’m reading Wonder and The Great Fire. I’d love to hear what’s on your list! Share your summer reading/watch list with me in the comments!