Megan

Graphically Speaking

February 26, 2014February 26, 2014MeganLeave a comment

If you are a reader of graphic novels you don’t need me to tell you how wonderful they can be. There is something refreshing (and maybe just a bit nostalgic?) about reading a story told in both words and pictures. But don’t dismiss graphic novels as fluff or kids stuff just because they are illustrated. I have found many graphic novels that are entertaining, powerful, and moving. I personally love a series, but I have also found a number of enjoyable standalones. My introduction to graphic novels was Bill Willingham’s Fables series, and it not only remains a favorite, but it is also a series I love to recommend. Here are some more of my favorites:

Memoir/Biography/Historical

1. Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley is a charming memoir that is sure to delight all you foodies out there.

2. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh is a hilarious and heartbreaking glimpse into the world of depression. The book is a compilation of new material as well as material previously published on the author’s blog.

3. Little Fish by Ramsey Beyer is a coming of age story about a girl moving away from her small town and finding herself in a big city. This is the perfect gift for the high school graduate in your life.

4. The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam by Ann Marie Fleming is a biography of her great-grandfather, China’s greatest magician. This is a fascinating look at Chinese culture and the early world of vaudeville. Definitely worth picking up.

5. The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston is a novel told in pictures and tells the story of a young girl coming of age in the 1920s. Her dream is to be a writer, but life seems to have other plans for her, until she is swept off her feet by a handsome young man. Loaded with vintage postcards, magazine ads, letters, and fashion spread, this book pairs perfectly with The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

Humor

6. 5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth, How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You, My Dog: The Paradox, and Why Grizzly Bears Should Wear Underpants by Michael Inman are all ridiculous, irreverent, and absolutely hilarious. Inman is the creator of The Oatmeal.com, the internet home of his comics. His humor isn’t for everyone, but if it IS your style, these books will leave you in tears!

7. Chi’s Sweet Home by Kanata Konami will make a cat lover out of even the staunchest nay-sayer (I should know, I was one of them!). These tiny, darling books chronicle the author’s adventures in adopting a street kitten.

Sci-Fi/Horror

8. Locke & Key by Joe Hill follows the Locke family as they move into their family’s ancestral home, a Victorian mansion called Lovecraft. Bad things happen. The story is dark, disturbing and utterly addictive. Joe is certainly giving his father, Stephen King, a run for the title of King of the Macabre!

9. Y: the Last Man and Saga by Brian Vaughan are two offerings from a Cleveland native. Y: the Last Man follows Yorick, the lone survivor of a plague that kills all the men. Saga is his newest offering and it is just plain bizarre, in an awesome way! Interplanetary wars and star-crossed lovers!

10. The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman…do I really need to explain this one? Actually, I gave up in the show after the first season, but the books are fantastic. They are so much more horrifying than the tv series and after the first book, they books and television show are two entirely different things. I think it’s safe to read and watch simultaneously.

And just so that I am not ending on that horrific zombie note, here’s a nice bonus:

Eric Shanower’s Oz series is a must-read! This graphic adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic Wizard of Oz series is one of my favorite discoveries. The story is fresh and illustrations are amazing. Every time I look at them I want to take them apart and frame the pages. I encourage you to venture to the Children’s Department and rediscover Dorothy and her band of misfits as they have adventures in the land of Oz.

Happy Reading!

˜Megan

Wintry Reads for Wintry Days

February 19, 2014MeganLeave a comment

*I wrote this post yesterday, after spending two hours digging myself out of the latest snowfall. Today is all sunshine and the drip, drip, drip of melting icicles. I stand by my list.*

Snow and cold getting you down? I say surrender. Give up. Hide out. Grab a book, some snacks, and your favorite slippers and hide until spring. Spring has to come eventually, right? Or are you more of the snow bunny type, rejoicing in all this fluffy, fluffy snow? Either way, I recommend checking out one of these wintry reads!

1. The Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah is two stories in one. In the present two sisters cope with the loss of their father and try to relate to their always cold and mother. In the past, that same mother was a young girl in war-torn Leningrad.

2. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is a retelling of a Russian fairy tale, transported to the snow tundra of Alaska during the 1920s.

3. Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O’Nan takes place in a soon-to-be-closing Red Lobster during a snowstorm just days before Christmas.

4. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin is where you’ll find the often repeated refrain “Winter is coming.”

5. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer tells the chilling (see what I did there?) story of what happens when the moon is knocked out of its orbit. Let’s just say it gets really cold.

6. The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney tells the tale of a murdered fur trader in an isolated Canadian wilderness community.

7. Stork, Flock, and Frost by Wendy Delsol is set in chilly Minnesota and features the Icelandic Stork Society, an ancient society charged with matching unborn souls with mothers. Jack Frost and The Snow Queen also make appearances!

8. City of Thieves by David Benioff is the story of Kolya and Lev, two men with nothing in common except the fact their lives depend on their ability to find eggs in the frozen city if Leningrad during the siege.

9. A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchey is a cozy story about a bed and breakfast on the west coast of Ireland and guests who stay there.

And since you have been such good sports about all these snow-filled titles, here is a beach read to get you excited about warm weather!

10. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter has nothing to do with winter, though there is a character who is writing a screenplay for a film about the Donner Party. The characters are unforgettable, and the descriptions of the Vergogna, the cliff-side villa in Southern Italy will have you packing your bags!

Enjoy your escape!

˜Megan

Celebrate Library Lovers’ Month With Books About Libraries!

February 13, 2014MeganLeave a comment

How great is this? An entire month dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the value of libraries of a types. It truly warms this librarian’s heart! I might be a little biased, but I think libraries are amazing places. In my little corner of the library world we work really hard to blend traditional services with new trends. One of my favorite things about libraries is all the books, so it would stand to reason that books about libraries are also pretty awesome! Join me in celebrating libraries with one of these great titles:

1. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. This one has a rare book seller and a secret library!

2. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. The main character Henry is a time-traveler and a librarian!

3. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat by Vicki Myron. What could be better than an adorable cat hanging out in a library? Maybe an adorable cat who hands out chocolate, but that seems a bit fanciful.

4. The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman. This library houses a special sort of collection-magical artifacts from fairy tales by the brothers Grimm!

5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Liesel is an unconventional librarian. For the duration of World War II she shares her collection of stolen books with her neighbors during bomb raids.

6. Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein. This is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in a library!

7. The Uncommon Reader by Allan Bennet. The Queen of England is an unexpected patron at a mobile library.

8. Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines. Isaac is not only a librarian, but a Libriomancer. He is gifted with the ability to draw items out of books. How cool is that?

9. Smoke in Mirrors by Jayne Ann Krentz. This one stars a librarian as a detective!

10. The Dewey Decimal System of Love by Josephine Carr. A little mystery, a little romance, one special librarian.

I’d say that’s a good start! While you enjoy these books about libraries and librarians I am going to start brainstorming books about books and bookstore!

Happy Reading!

˜Megan

Lucky 13: Top Ten (plus three) Reads of 2013

December 19, 2013December 19, 2013MeganLeave a comment

This year I made an effort to expand my reading horizons and in the process I discovered some amazing books! I read or listened to 200 books in 2013 and picking 13 favorites was nearly impossible, but after much fretting, I am finally satisfied with my 2013 “Best Of” list.

1. Favorite Nonfiction:

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. I found this book fascinating. The case studies and anecdotes are compelling (and in some cases a little creepy). I found the suggestions and techniques for changing habits to be useful in my own ongoing quest to make healthier choices.

2. Favorite Picture Book:

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. My nephews, ages 7, 8, and 9, think that they are getting too old for picture books, but I say you’re never too old for a charming and hilarious story! The letters from Yellow and Orange are my favorite!

3. Favorite Audio:

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty. Don’t let the gorgeous cover fool you, this is not fluff. This story has it all: family drama, hidden secrets, suspense, and even a touch of romance and humor. It was this book, more than anything else, that motivated me to walk the dogs in the recent blizzard-y weather.

4. Favorite YA:

Reality Boy by A.S. King. Considering that the majority of my reading is YA, picking just one book for this list was a little painful. I must admit that I have become slightly obsessed with A.S. King’s books. Her books are full of heart-breakingly dysfunctional characters and the their struggles to have better lives. Her stories are powerful and empowering, and not just for teens.

5. Favorite Middle Grade:

The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle by Christopher Healy. This is the hilarious sequel to The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. The League of Princes is off on another (mis)adventure and once again their leading ladies are there to save the day. Fans of fairy tales, fractured or otherwise, won’t want to miss this series.

6. Favorite Debut:

In the Shadow of the Blackbird by Cat Winters. I had to sneak another YA book on the list, but I think it will appeal to a wide range of readers. Fans of historical fiction will appreciate the old photographs and vivid descriptions of life during the great Influenza Pandemic of 1918. Readers looking for fright will find a devilishly delightful ghost story!

7. Favorite Historical Fiction:

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. This book covers the life of one woman, Dorothy, from her youth in pre-WWII England, through the war and into the present day. As she lay dying her daughter makes a startling discovery about her mother’s past. Full of twists and turns, I was guessing right up until the surprising end!

8. Favorite Graphic Novel:

Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley. Not sure about the whole graphic novel thing? Ease into them with the delicious memoir! Give this to your favorite foodie (but be sure to read it before you wrap it)!

9. Favorite Science Fiction:

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. 80’s pop culture collides with future dystopian America. Virtual reality is the new reality and gamers are battling out for chance to win billions. This book was so much fun and the audio was narrated by Wil Weaton!

10. Favorite Book Recommended by Fellow Librarians at RRPL:

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan. This is a modern retelling of The Scarlet Letter with a futuristic science fiction twist. Fascinating!

11. Favorite Mystery:

Broken Harbor by Tana French. This is the fourth book in the Dublin Murder Squad series. I love everything about French’s police procedural novels. The setting is vivid, the characters are well-developed and perfectly flawed, and the mysteries are suspenseful without being gruesome.

12. Favorite Funny Book:

The Last Word by Lisa Lutz. This is the last book in the Spellman Files series and I suggest you start at the beginning. The series stars a highly dysfunctional family of private investigators. Hilarity ensues.

13. Favorite Fiction:

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. This is my current favorite book. It is a charming coming-of-age story with lots of family drama, humor, and a sweet romance. This book is like a cozy blanket on a chilly day: you want to dive in and not come out. I realize that sounds cheesy, but I found this book to be so comforting. I have lots of love for Rainbow Rowell.

….and a last minute addition for luck! I promise, no more.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson. This is superhero science fiction. With a twist. Imagine living in a world with only super villains. In Steelheart, ordinary humans develop superhuman talents and use them to enslave and terrorize ordinary people. All but a small handful of people submit. The resistors call themselves The Reckoners and their only goal is to rid the world of Epics. This series opener is amazing!

Happy Reading!

˜Megan

I Read YA, Do You?

May 23, 2013MeganLeave a comment

YA (young adult) literature isn’t just for teens anymore. It appears that the movie industry has finally wised up to something that fans of YA have known for years: YA books are AWESOME (and apparently make great movies). So, you’ve read Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and maybe even The Perks of Being a Wallflower. What’s next?

White Cat by Holly Black. This is the first book in The Curse Workers series. It’s like The Sopranos with magic. Set in an alternate reality America, some people have the supernatural ability to manipulate the minds, memories, emotions, and luck of others with the touch of a hand. Other curse workers have the power to kill, transform, or physically injure others. Curse work is illegal, workers are feared, and most are criminals, mobsters, and con artists. Cassel Sharpe comes from a family of workers but he has no curse skill. He is an outcast, a con artist, and a murderer….dun dun dun!

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. Thanks to the success of The Walking Dead, zombies are all the rage and YA has TONS of awesome zombie fare. One of my favorites is this trilogy by Carrie Ryan. Mary has grown up in relative safety, while the Unconsecrated roam the forest and unrelentingly attempt to get beyond the fences. When the wall it breached Mary has to choose between the life she has always known and the dangers of the great unknown. Dark, intense, and never once is the word zombie mentioned!

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. Are you a history buff? You won’t want to miss this awesome steampunk take on WWI! Here’s the scoop: the year is 1914, and Europe is on the verge of a war. Prince Alek, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne is on the run from the Clanker Army. Deryn Sharp, a girl disguised as a boy, is an airman for the British Air Force learning to fly the genetically engineered air beast, the Leviathan. The two form an uneasy alliance as they struggle to protect their secrets and stay alive. Clankers vs Darwinist! Giant walking machines vs. Giant flying beasts. This is the first in a trilogy as well.

The Diviners by Libba Bray. Flappers are once again hip, thanks to the remake of The Great Gatsby! How would you like your Flappers with a side of supernatural demonic serial killer? So. Freaking. Creepy.

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga. Speaking of creepy! Love Dexter? Check out this series starring Jasper Dent, the son of the countries most notorious serial killer.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Sure, Iron Man is a really hot cyborg, but Cinder is a cyborg version of Cinderella. This first book in the series is a futuristic retelling of the Cinderella story, complete with a handsome prince and a wicked stepmother.

I am the Messenger by Marcus Zusak. Not into all the dark, supernatural stuff? No problem! From the author of The Book Thief (have you read that one? No? You should!) comes the story of Ed Kennedy, my favorite nobody. Ed Kennedy is a nineteen-year-old Australian cab driving who lives with a smelly old dog, pines away for his best friend, Audrey, and loves to play cards. He’s an ordinary guy, going nowhere fast, until the day he foils a bank robbery. His glory is short-lived, but shortly after the would-be robber is sentenced, Ed receives an ace of clubs with three addresses written on it. And so begins Ed’s new adventure.

Okay For Now by Gary Schmidt. This book was recently chosen as NPR’s Back Seat Book Club selection and a personal favorite of mine. Doug has a time life at home and now that he has moved to a new, small town things don’t look much better. Both his dad and his brother are bullies and his other brother is away in Vietnam. With nothing to do and no friends, Doug finds himself at the library. There he discovers Audubon’s birds and a talent he never knew he had. I did not expect to become so completely emotionally tangled up with Doug and his problems. And the birds! Audubon’s birds! Really? Yes! I have read this one twice now and I am sure I will read it again.

Are you read for this summer big YA movie? I don’t know about you, but I am so excited to see City of Bones by Cassandra Clare on the Big Screen!

Happy Reading!

˜Megan

The Perfect Pairing-A Book and a Beverage

May 17, 2013MeganLeave a comment

One of my favorite ways to enjoy a book is to steal away to the local coffee shop and tuck into a vanilla latte. With an extra shot of espresso. Now that the warm weather has finally arrived, it is time to move out to a patio or porch with a cool, refreshing beverage. Sounds relaxing, right? Need some inspiration? Here are some perfect warm-weather reads, paired with the perfect drink.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman is a sweet coming-of-age story set in Savannah during the 1960’s. This charming book filled with loveable and eccentric characters should be enjoyed with a tall glass of sweet tea (though the ladies of the story often indulged in a Long Island Iced Tea).

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen is a perfect spring read! It’s full of gorgeous gardens, divine food, and a hint of magic and romance. Pair this one with a crisp, cold apple cider. The old tree in Claire’s yard would approve.

Maybe you prefer a retro read? Children of the 80’s will love all of the pop-culture references in Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One. I suggest that you pop open an iced-cold Tab and dive into virtual world of the OASIS.

This may seem like an unusual pairing, but I guarantee that you’ll enjoy an icy, tart lemonade with Stephen King’s 11/22/63. This giant tome this is a perfect pick for a lazy warm day. You will surely lose track of time once you start reading this suspenseful tale of history and time travel. A lemonade is just the thing to keep you perfectly refreshed.

All this talk of warm weather reading and tasty beverages has me thinking about my weekend reading plans. I think this is what I want my Saturday morning to look like:

Game by Barry Lyga is the sequel to I Hunt Killers. Of course my beverage of choice will most likely be an iced latte. I am excited to spend some time during day light hours with this super creepy serial killer book. You’ll find both of these titles in the Teen section of the library, but if you like Dexter you will definitely enjoy reading about the son of a notorious serial killer.

Happy Reading!

˜Megan

Play Ball! The Great American Pastime in Books and Film

May 9, 2013MeganLeave a comment

Spring has finally arrived in Northeast Ohio! Along with sunshine and warm weather, sports fans are also enjoying some great baseball. Listening to a rare weekday afternoon game during my lunch break got me thinking about the Great American pastime here in Cleveland. Sure it’s been a while since we’ve won a World Series (1948), but we will always be able to claim great Cy Young as a hometown hero. The Cleveland Spiders are long gone, as is the stadium at League Park, but Young’s legacy lives on with a pitching award that bares his name. Cy Young still holds the record for most career wins (511) in all of Major League Baseball. If you are interested in more Cleveland Indians history, head on in to the library!

Maybe you’re looking for a fiction book about baseball. No problem! We have those too.

In the mood for a baseball movie? You’ll want to look for these:

This is just a small sampling of all the baseball goodies you’ll find at the library.

Happy Reading!

˜Megan

Happy 75th Birthday Superman: Cleveland’s Home-Grown Superhero!

May 2, 2013May 2, 2013MeganLeave a comment

Everyone knows he is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and able to leap a tall building in a single bound, but did you know that the Man of Steel is one of Cleveland’s own? It’s true!

Creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster grew up during the Great Depression. Jerry, a native Clevelander met Joe at Glenville High School in 1930. The pair of misfits hit if off and in 1934 they created Superman, a new kind of hero. While the other heroes of the day were regular humans in strange places (Tarzan, Buck Rogers), Superman was a stranger among regular people. He even had an unassuming secret identity for those times that he needed a break. In 1938 the pair sold Superman to Action Comics for $130. When his story debuted in June 1938, Superman was an instant success. He was just the hero that people needed as they struggled out of the Depression and into a new war.

And now, 75 years later he is also the star of this year’s local Free Comic Book Day celebrations. Check out this commemorative cover-it’s a custom-made Cleveland Edition! You can pick up one of these beauties here at Rocky River Public Library on Saturday, May 4! We will be celebrating Free Comic Book Day all day (or until we run out of comics!)

Look at this gorgeous Superman poster:

We have a couple of these posters and some beautiful books to give away as well, thanks to the great folks over at Carol & John’s Comic Book Shop.

The library also has plenty of Superman books, movies, and comics for fans of all ages. For more information about Superman, his creators, and his role throughout modern history try one of these:

You can find The Boys of Steel by March Tyler Nobleman in the Children’s Department. Superman Versus The Ku Klux Klan is a Teen nonfiction and Superman: The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero by Larry Tye is a new addition to our adult nonfiction collection.

Oh yeah, that tall building he can leap in a single bound? It’s our very own Terminal Tower. Watch the Cleveland skyline beginning in June because that tall building will be lit up red, blue, and gold in honor of our hometown superhero.

˜Megan

Looking Ahead to 2013

December 27, 2012December 27, 2012MeganLeave a comment

I know we still have a few more days of looking back over 2012, but I am ready to start looking ahead to 2013. Most of my highly anticipated releases of 2013 are young adult books, but there are a handful of adult books that I can’t wait to read.

I am eager to get a turn with Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini, due out in January. This is the story of the friendship between Mary Todd Lincoln and her seamstress, a freed slave names Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley.

I am also very excited about the January release of Fables vol. 18: Cubs in Toyland, by Bill Willingham. This is one of my favorite graphic novel series and I highly recommend. If you are new to graphic novels, this is a fantastic place to start.

February brings the next installment in the Flavia de Luce mystery series. I love the audiobook versions of these books and can’t wait to listen to Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley. Don’t know about Flavia? Start with The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.

This summer you’ll find me on a patio somewhere with a copy of Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen. There is no cover art for this one yet, but based on her past books I am sure it will be lovely. These are my favorites:

July will also bring the final installment of the Spellman Files, The Last Word by Lisa Lutz. This is one of my favorite series and I am excited that there will be more and sad that is will be over. I am sure Lisa Lutz has something else spectacular and fun just waiting to be released. I hope. Please be true. Again, no cover art, but the rest of the books in the series got new art. I like it. Start at the beginning with The Spellman Files.

And last, but not least, I *hope* that I will get the final installment of the Locke & Key series, Omega by Joe Hill. There is no release date as of yet, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will get my hands on it sometime in 2013. I loved this series so much that I am considering a reread while I wait. Check out the first one, Welcome to Lovecraft.

What books are you looking forward to in the new year?

Happy Reading (and Happy New Year)!

˜Megan

What to Do While I Wait For The Winds of Winter

December 18, 2012December 18, 2012MeganLeave a comment

Winter is coming…but book six in A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin is not. At least not any time soon. I know I am not alone out here, wondering what to do with myself while I wait. On the one hand it’s actually a relief to not have most of my time and brain cells being monopolized by a complicated epic fantasy. On the other hand, I got used to lugging an enormous book around with me at all times. I kind of want that feeling back. So I took another look at my Goodreads “to read” shelf and found some titles that should keep me busy while I impatiently wait for G. Martin to get busy and give me a new book.

1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. This may be the perfect choice for me. Historical fiction+time travel+some steamy romance=Win! Another thing that it has going for it is the fact that there are already seven books published. It looks like an eighth book will be published in 2013. There will be no hand-wringing or teeth gnashing as I anxiously anticipate the publication of a new title. There really is something to be said for starting a series once it is complete (or almost complete).

2. The Map of Time by Félix J. Palma. Ok, it looks like I have an overwhelming desire to get lost in a time travel series. Who knew? This one has the bonus element of Steampunk, which is trè chic. Look at those gorgeous covers! I am sold.

3. Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz. This supernatural thriller series comes recommended by a coworker. Quirky characters, suspense, and horror. Works for me. There are currently five books in the series and book six is due out in 2013.

These are my top three contenders for my next epic series. Of course, if I was practical I would hold off on starting a new series until I finished or got caught up on my current series. *Cough* Stephanie Plum *Cough* I am not sure I will ever catch up with this woman!

I am also open to recommendations! What do you think I should read while I am waiting on The Winds of Winter?

Happy Reading!

˜Megan

Read it or Weep

Words about Words by the Reference Staff of Rocky River Public Library

Author: Megan

Graphically Speaking

Wintry Reads for Wintry Days

Celebrate Library Lovers’ Month With Books About Libraries!

Lucky 13: Top Ten (plus three) Reads of 2013

I Read YA, Do You?

The Perfect Pairing-A Book and a Beverage

Play Ball! The Great American Pastime in Books and Film

Happy 75th Birthday Superman: Cleveland’s Home-Grown Superhero!

Looking Ahead to 2013

What to Do While I Wait For The Winds of Winter