Boys Rule Boys Read!: Iron Guy resolution 2012

Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Iron Guy's New Year's Resolution

This is the time of year when grownups like to make resolutions--you know, resolving that you'll do something better this year. Some people resolve to lose weight or exercise more or learn a new language. The Iron Guy has determined to finish a piece of unfinished business this year and wants to share it with all of you reader guys. This year I have decided to...to...

OH, NO, DON'T MAKE ME!! DON'T MAKE ME!!!!!!!!!

Sorry about that little outburst. I'm trying to stick to my resolution but some things are just so---horrible that even the strongest among will grow faint and whimper. But I'm the IRON GUY and will not flinch form this New Year's resolution. Therefore I will...

NOT THAT!!!! PLEASE, NOT THAT!!!!!!

Get control of yourself, man. (sounds of Iron Guy slapping himself)

There, now I feel better. OK, here's my resolution and I hope I have the courage to stick it out:

I'm going to read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

THERE!!

I've said it. Now some of you are wondering, "What's the big deal? We read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and liked it." Well, if you remember The Great Harry Potter Controversy from last summer, you'll know that I'm not a big Harry Potter fan. I don't think HP is terrible, I just wasn't bowled over by those books like everyone else in the world. BUT--I read only the first three and felt that I wasn't being fair. (I'm surprised no one called me on that during the Controversy) So I decided to read the other four books and give the good Mr. Potter a fair shot.

BUT----this is what happened:

I started off reading HPGF like the MANLY MAN that I am.

But the plot was so sloooowwww and the book was so looonnnggg and nothing interesting happened and it started to crush my will to read. I tried to man up and keep going but---

---it eventually crushed me and I never finished.

So you see why I've had such a horror of trying to read it again. But this is a new year! And I've heard so many boys and grownups tell how great the HP books are that I've resolved to read this one and see if they're right. Are you with me, men?? Can I count on your support? You know what--I trust you guys enough to put my feet to the fire. I've put a survey box in the upper left-hand corner of the blog to give me time time frame for reading the book. (there's agood reason why I'd want to finsih before February 5. watch for it in a nother post)I'll keep it up there until next Friday and act on your votes. that will give me the inner fortitude (aren't you impressed by the big words I know?) to get through this long nignhtm...I mean, this long book.

OK, here I go!!!! Will HP vanquish the Iron Guy once again? Or will he overcome in true MANLY MAN fashion?

Here's How Our Blog Works

If you don't know how to post comments or reviews to our blog or if you want to read what we and other boys have written, here's what you do:

1. Every post has a place underneath it that says "Comments". Click on it and it will take you to a place in which you can write something. When you're done, click on a way to identify yourself. You don't have to create a Blogger/Google account (unless you already have one); you can click on "Name/URL" or even "Anonymous." Then click "Publish Your Comment." We try to get your comments and reviews posted right away, but sometimes we get busy with other duties. So, if you don't see your comment right away, don't panic. We'll post it soon.

Don't forget--any boy can get a free book the first time he writes a review. If you live too far away to come to the Myers Park library, go ahead and write to us anyway. We'll try to find a way to get a book to you. Besides, all the other boys out there would love to hear from you.

When you tell us about a book, please give the title, author, what the book is about, and why you did or didn't like it.

2. Blogs go "front to back"; that is, the newest post comes up first and the older ones are put further back. You click on the "Blog Archive" to read older articles. The posts for this month have the titles listed. You can click on other months to catch our other posts. (Our introduction is in June of 2007; if you're new to this blog, you might look it up.)

3. Underneath each post you'll see a line that says "Labels" and several other words such as "graphic novels" or "Andrew Clements." These extra words are links to a subject; for instance, if you clicked on "graphic novels," it would pull up all the posts about graphic novels. There's also a section below on some of our best posts on the most popular subjects

4. Did you notice that the posts from last year don't show up month by month as they did before this year? If you click on the triangle next to the previous years, the months will drop down and you can go back and see what we and your fellow readers have written.

The Iron Guy's Review Policy

1. Since the Iron Guy works for the terrific Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, I review only books that the library already has or will get soon.
2. If you are an author or publisher or agent and think you have a book that boys will go crazy over, please leave me a comment (with your email address so I can contact you) under any post. I will look and see if we have the book. If not, and if the book looks good, I will contact Those Who Order Books and see if CML would be interested. (Please note--CML does not usually order self-published books) PLEASE do not just send me a book! I appreciate the offer but but first I want to see if CML has it or will get it soon.