Steampunk.  What is it?  It is a subgenre of Science Fiction, a place where the past and the future come together.  Imagine the technology that powered the Nautilus in Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.  In 1987, in a letter to Locus Magazine, the author J.K. Heter coined the term Steampunk to describe the "gonzo-historical" fiction that he and several other authors had been writing.  But Steampunk has grown in the 20+ years since then to encompass so much more.  It is a fashion style, an aesthetic, even musical groups have formed based on this idea of the future that never was.  This is a rabbit hole, make no mistake, but if you wish to investigate further, strap on your goggles and top hat and jump in with me!

Music:  Abney Park is *the* name when it comes to Steampunk music.  They've been playing as a steampunk band since 2006 and I am told put on quite a show.   They all created steampunk personas which they portray in their concerts and this video of Airship Pirates gives you a look/feel for the group.

Dr. Steel also puts on a great show and has an evil mastermind sort of persona.  He is embarking on a world domination plan involving YOU if you decide to become one of his "Toy Soldiers".  Weird and Fun, all in one!

The Men That Will Not Be Blamed for Nothing produced a collection of music available for download, CD and on a limited edition recorded wax cylinder!   If you give them a listen, you'll find they put the emphasis on PUNK in Steampunk!

Rasputina's albums are all available for download on Freegal.  I downloaded How We Quit the Forest and Sister Sleep.  They feature prominent strings and vocals that reminded me of Kate Bush.

Movies:  You have probably seen a few of these titles and if you haven't you can pick them up at the Library.  The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen brings a collection of famous characters ranging from Dorian Grey to Captain Nemo together to save the world.

The Golden Compass, based on the novel by Philip Pullman, takes on many steampunk themes from airships to an alithiometer - a device which allows you to tell the real truth on any situation. 

Books:  A really compelling read in the genre is The Glass Books of the Dream-Eaters by Gordon Dahlquist.  A young woman stumbles upon a cabal of evil socialites bent on taking over the world using a technology that allows them to steal memories and store them within books made of glass and a mysterious blue clay.  From a dissolute prince to an assassin named Cardinal Chang for the red leather great coat he wears, the cast of characters never ceases to amaze and amuse.  The intrigue and suspense keep you on the edge of your seat and make it hard to put this book down!

Steampunk is definitely a DIY aesthetic and the library has a couple of titles that might help you get started in creating your own steampunk outfit.  Steampunk-style Jewelry: Victorian, Fantasy and Mechanical Necklaces, Bracelets and Earrings by Jean Campbell shows several one of a kind pieces and gives you a head-start on how to create your own.

For the past few years, a group of steampunkers have been publishing an online magazine titled, Steampunk Magazine.  This magazine is available for download and features fiction, poetry, commentary, DIY instructions and patterns.  If you are looking for a place to start, Steampunk magazine is your go-to.

Speaking of DIY - you can find a great group of instructions on how to create goggles, ray-guns and costumes on Instructables.com. 

Why would you be creating a costume?  To create your own steampunk persona!  There are groups of folks who meet-up in costume and in character and have a grand old time together!  There are conventions and other events where Steampunk reigns supreme.  In the Bay area, look for the big steampunk convention, Wild Wild East on March 25, 26 and 27.   The San Jose Steampunk group is the St. Clair Aeronauts whose personas include a crew of an airship that delivers letters.

Who knows?  The newest Steampunker could be you!

Ready for some puppet fun?  The Edenvale Branch Library will host “Puppet Making for Families,” a delightful interactive program for children aged 3 to 7 and their parents/caregivers on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm.  Can’t make it to this event?   The San Jose Public Library System has plenty of puppetry books that can be found in the online catalog.  

Here are two to explore:

• How to Make Puppets with Children has templates and instructions for a variety of paper hand puppets.  There are also templates for alphabet finger puppets.
• Finger Folk contains a variety of finger puppet patterns that can be sewn and stuffed or created with fun foam.   There are also finger plays and lists of picture books that the puppets can be used with.

David E. Sanger, one of the most respected journalists of our time, has authored an informative and at times riveting work, The Inheritance: the World Obama Confronts and the Challenges to American Power. In this powerful work, Sanger has broken through the secrecy and the governmental double-speak to tell us how we got where we are today and the choices this leaves the Obama administration. This work gives the reader inside information that will at times surprise and sometimes shock, yet Sanger has framed it all in language and a literary style the layman can understand and appreciate. In short, this work is one of the most important contributions on American politics and international relations in recent years and for those who want to learn more about the challenges our nation is currently facing, The Inheritance is an essential must read. 

Anchee Min’s remarkable Pearl of China is a loving and moving tribute to Pearl S. Buck. In this fictional account of Buck’s early years in China, a young Chinese girl, Willow Yee, befriends Pearl and they form a strong emotional and spiritual bond.  Min’s literary style, with its emphasis on the inherent dignity and strength of the Chinese peasant, harkens back to the literary style that made Pearl S. Buck an internationally acclaimed author and a Nobel Laureate.