Book Review

The Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan


For anyone who was hooked by Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians his second series, The Heroes of Olympus, will capture you just as much. While we don't hear much from Percy, the previous main character, there are three new names the author introduces along with another rigorous adventure in The Lost Hero. Jason, Piper and Leo take readers back to Camp-Half Blood where they find out about new prophecies and new threats to their world. What is also new with this series is that it takes place in third person narrative, a deviation from Riordan's previous writing style in Percy Jackson. In this new installment the point of view jumps between Jason, Piper, and Leo and gives the reader the opportunity to get to know all three on a personal level.
This style might seem a bit jumpy for readers who aren't used to their stories switching perspectives, but once you get accustomed the book's pace never slows down. In my opinion the new style adds a more personal level to Riordan's series. While I would have loved to hear from Percy, the multiple perspectives made the story feel more broad and it was interesting to get to know three characters while also seeing their ideas of each other.I haven't read many books with multiple perspectives but this series has defiantly made it very appealing. 

MUVE Experience

My experience with MUVE games is a bit small. I've played SIMS and also Animal Crossing, both I found very fun. Animal Crossing is definitely one of my favorite games I've ever played and would recommend it to people thinking of playing. If you've never played you're basically the only human in a world of animals that act like people. You go about your day like you're living it for real, you even have a job and can interact with your neighbors.

I see the use of MUVE by libraries for long distance learning opportunities. Being able to store information in a digital library on a plain like Second Life would give the users the ability to learn in their gaming world as well as the real world. I'm not very familiar with how Second Life works but I understand that people can do things as if they are in the real world. Having the possibility to go to a library would also give users to go someplace that is beneficial for the real world as well as something to do in the game. It could also serve as a nice meeting place and could offer different events like book clubs and collection exhibits.

Social Networks

My experience with social networks isn't all that extensive. I know the basics of Facebook and could probably teach someone new how to use it but I would never call myself  knowledgeable. Twitter, on the other hand, I just subscribed to for this class. I know next to nothing and have only dabbled in it since signing up. I'm fairly certain that if you asked me to teach someone about it it would resemble the blind leading the blind. Pinterest, however, is something that I'm on daily and could be called a bit of an addict. I could probably give a good lesson on this site and sound like I know what I'm talking about. I know there are hundreds more social networks but these three are the ones that I've had interactions with that are worth mentioning. The others I've either never heard of or have never worked with them.
In comparing Facebook and Pinterest, I would say it really depends on what you are receptive to. If you are more of text and reading person, Facebook is the place for you. The postings almost always include some kind of text with whatever is being posted (if it isn't just simply a text post). Pinterest is more for those visually oriented as it is always a picture that can have text along with it. For libraries using these sites, I see them using them as more advertisement and getting information to their patrons. With Facebook or Pinterest, the patrons can subscribe to the libraries personal profile and receive postings. This can be used to promote special events and updates on what's going on at the library. With either Facebook or Pinterest the library could also share postings/pins from followers that they would like to point their patrons to. For example, the IUPUI School Facebook recently made a post telling its followers how the Children's Museum lets college students in for free on Sundays.
While I know Facebook is fairly popular right now with getting information out, I wouldn't overlook the possibility of using Pinterest. It's not as popular right now but it is rising in notability, and it could possibly reach more people. Postings on Facebook are usually only seen by followers and then shared to outsiders. With Pinterest, there is a greater possibility of being seen by those that don't directly follow you. Advertisement for the library could be pulled with searches for books, libraries, or reading and even projects if you post those on the site. All in all, both sites would be a great addition to the advertising of any library.

Voki Introduction