Young Adult

World Zombie Day and Zombie Survival Guide

MeganLeave a comment

 

   
This cute picture came from here. But seriously, there is nothing cute about a real zombie apocalypse. Readers should be prepared. How, you ask? Head to the library and get a book, of course.

The definitive guide to surviving a zombie attack has to be Max Brooks’ The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a small, but helpful excerpt:

 Top 10 Lessons for Surviving a Zombie Attack

  1. Organize before they rise!
  2. They feel no fear, why should you?
  3. Use your head: cut off theirs.
  4. Blades don’t need reloading.
  5. Ideal protection = tight clothes, short hair.
  6. Get up the staircase, then destroy it.
  7. Get out of the car, get onto the bike.
  8. Keep moving, keep low, keep quiet, keep alert!
  9. No place is safe, only safer.
  10. The zombie may be gone, but the threat lives on

Ok, now that the serious stuff is out of the way, lets talk about some fun zombie stuff, like World Zombie Day, which is October 8th. What’s this Zombie Day all about, you ask? Well, according to the official website, it is a day for fans of all things zombie related to join together in an international effort to alleviate world hunger. Pretty cool.

If you are like me you are anxiously awaiting the return of the The Walking Dead, the AMC TV series, which is based on the graphic novel series by Robert Kirkman. October 16th is right around the corner! While you wait maybe you should shuffle on over to the library and pick up a classic zombie film or a zombie novel or two-we have tons! My favorite? The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan.

Get in the Halloween Holiday spirit this weekend-celebrate zombies!

˜Megan

Beauty and the Beast

DonnaLeave a comment

 The movie Beastly will be coming out in early March. This movie is based on the young adult novel by Alex Finn that came out in 2007. Check out our Reading Room review of the book. I, for one, loved this retelling of the fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast and really recommended this book to friends and family. When news came out this novel was being turned into a movie, I was excitedly looking forward to seeing the movie. However, having seen some of the early trailers on the television, I wonder how much of the movie stays true to the book. Hmmmm….one wonders when the original cover looked like this:and the new paperback version that is out now for the movie looks like this:  

In the book, Kyle is changed into a beast…one with fangs, claws and lots of hair! Kyle in the movie is turned into a beast but he certainly doesn’t look too hairy to me! I’m also having a hard time picturing Mary-Kate Olsen as Kendra the witch who puts Kyle under her magical spell. I also wonder how the Unexpected Changes chat group that Kyle goes to online will be portrayed. I hope the ending won’t be changed!….I’m sure glad that I have read the book first and once again, I think the book will be much, much better than the movie! We’ll see….

Happy Reading!             ~Donna

Of course, they have been many other novels based on the fairy tale, The Beauty and the Beast. If you’re interested, check out these titles from our Reading Room:

Beauty: A Novel by Susan Wilson, A Moment in Time by Judith Gould and The Bride Finder by Susan Carroll.

Remember….I’m the reader who loves Happy Endings….well, I just finished another novel based on The Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. It is the new historical romance paperback by Eloisa James titled When Beauty Tamed the Beast. I loved it! There’s the Beauty and naturally, there’s the Beast and a happy ending for all! Yeah!

 

A Teen Librarian’s Favorite Adult Reads

MeganLeave a comment

I couldn’t end the week without mentioning just a couple more favorites. As the Teen Librarian the majority of the books I read are young adult books, which I love, but occasionally I need a break from the lives of teenagers. Here are a few of the non-YA books that I really enjoyed this year:

1. Faithful Place by Tana French is the third novel by this Irish mystery writer. I enjoyed the family history, the Irish slang, and the vivid descriptions of the Dublin neighborhood where the story takes place.

2. The Spellmans Strike Again by Lisa Lutz is the fourth book featuring the quirky and hilarious family of private investigators, aka, the Spellmans. Anyone looking for a laugh-out-loud series will want to start at the beginning with The Spellman Files.

3. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley is the first book in a charming mystery series featuring the hilarious and precocious Flavia de Luce, who has become one of my favorite characters.

4. The 13th Hour by Richard Doestch is a fast-paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.

5. Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth is the first book in The President’s Vampire series. This book is an action-packed political thriller with a unique paranormal twist.

6. The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen is a magical and enchanting story about two different women finding their place in a quirky town full of misfits. I did not want this story to end.

In order to make this an official  Top Ten of 2010 I’ll finish off the list with a few more young adult novels. Here are a few YA books that I think will appeal to both teens and adults.

7. The Cardturner by Louis Sachar is a touching and at times hilarious book about a teenaged boy, his blind old great-uncle, and the game of bridge. With a hint of romance and magical realism, this book is a real gem.

8. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare is the first book in a prequel series to her Mortal Instruments series. This new series explores the world of Shadowhunters in Victorian England. All you adult fans of Twilight will want to read everything by Ms. Clare.

9. Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer is the first book in the series starring Mary “Jacky” Faber, orphan, ship’s boy, pirate, fine lady, soldier, sailor, spy and all-around adventurer. This is one of my all time favorite series and I highly recommend checking out the audio versions of these books.

10. Lies by Michael Grant is the third book in the riveting Gone series. It’s been 7 months since all of the adults in Perdido Beach disappeared and those left behind are desperate to escape. Stephen King fans will not want to miss this fast-paced and creepy series.

This list has a little bit of everything-action, mystery, humor, and even vampires (but not the swoon-worthy sparkly kind) so you are bound to find something that you like!

˜Megan

Top Ten Teen Titles of 2010

Megan1 Comment

As I sat and stared at the blank screen trying to figure out how to start this list (how do I choose from so many great books?!?) I decided to take a peek at last years list. I found it interesting that many of my favorites from last year are back on my list this year. Thank you guys for being such busy authors! So, here it is, in no particular order, my favorites from 2010:

1. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan is the first book in a Percy Jackson spin-off series. Old characters mix with new, Greek gods share the stage with Roman gods and a new prophecy is revealed. Mr. Riordan must not sleep because he also published another book this year, The Red Pyramid, featuring the gods of ancient Egypt.

2. Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter is the fourth action-packed book starring Cammie Morgan and the girls from the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a top-secret spy school. Ms.Carter is another author who must not sleep because she also had a second book published this year, Heist Society which is hopefully the start of a new series!

3. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver offers a unique glimpse into the mind of a mean girl as Samantha King is forced to relive the last day of her life until she gets it right.

4. Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantasky is smart and witty vampire romance. I freely admit that I am a sucker for a vampire romance, and this one does not disappoint.

5. White Cat by Holly Black is a dark and dangerous alternate reality story starring Cassel, the black sheep of his magical family. Gritty and suspenseful, this The Sopranos supernatural-style.

6. Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan is the second book set in the post-apocalypse future when the human race is threatened by the undead. Plenty of awesome zombie action here!

7. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson is a touching look at loss and grief, but quirky characters, humor, and a touch of romance prevent the story from being depressing. Instead, it becomes a celebration of healing, hope, and life.

8. The Dark Deeps: The Hunchback Assignments 2 by Arthur Slade is the second book in a new steampunk series starring Modo, a shape-shifting, hunchbacked spy in Victorian England.

9. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles is a romance about a pair of star-crossed lovers that is hot and steamy,  yet dark and gritty.

10. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins is full of magic, mystery, murder, romance, and snarky teen angst. Pure fun from start to finish with a cliffhanger ending will leave readers eager for more.

Phew, I made it to the end of this difficult to compile top ten list! I hope you find something here that you enjoy.

˜Megan

Teeeeeeeeeeeeerrific 10 of 2010

Janet1 Comment

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman – In this debut novel twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt is left to care for her mentally ill mother while her father escapes through his job as a traveling salesman. When CeeCee’s mother dies CeeCee is rescued by her Great Aunt Tootie and whisked away to Savannah, Georgia where the rest of her life begins.

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson – Widower Major Ernest Pettigrew of Edgecombe St. Mary, England is living a quiet yet proper life six years after the loss of his wife. On the day the Major finds out that his brother Bertie has died, his chance encounter with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, a widowed Pakistani shopkeeper, sets the stage for this delightful story.

Fragile Beasts by Tawni O’Dell – From the bullfighting ring in Spain in the 1950’s to a coal mining town in Pennsylvania in the 2000s, this novel brings two fractured families together in an unlikely story of personal hardship and redemption.

Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff – A chance encounter leads to a passionate love affair between upper class Lily Davis Woodward and Italian immigrant Jake Russo.

The Red Thread by Ann Hood – Following the freak accident that kills her baby daughter, Maya Lange starts an adoption agency that brings together Chinese baby girls with American families.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult – Eighteen-year-old Jacob Hunt has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism. He is highly intelligent but socially inept. His mother, Emma, spends most of her time as an advocate for Jacob. As a result, Theo, her youngest son, gets less attention. As the reader you will get to know and love this family, especially Jacob.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins is the third and final book in the  fabulous, young adult  Hunger Games trilogy. It is a worthy conclusion. (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay)

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi – In the futuristic Gulf Coast area of America, Nailer, a teenaged boy leads a day-to-day existence stripping copper from old, grounded oil tankers. After a hurricane Nailer discovers a wrecked clipper ship full of valuables and a beautiful young girl, which may lead Nailer to a better life. (young adult adventure)

The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard – The Planks and the Dickersons are two families that are as different as night and day. They are united by the fact that their daughters were born on July 4th of the same year in the same hospital. This connection develops into an annual, uncomfortable tradition of the Planks visiting the Dickersons. The story ends with a stunning revelation that explains all that has gone before.

Nemesis  by Philip Roth – is the story of the polio epidemic as it invades Weequahic, New Jersey in the stifling hot summer of 1944 and how it affects both the healthy and the stricken throughout their lives. Memorable.

                                                                                                                                                                                 Janet

Top Books of 2010

DoriLeave a comment

This has been a bumpy year for me, but journeying into so many great books provided just the escape I needed. From mysteries set in unique places to scenes from a horrific future to intimate family dramas, my top ten of 2010 were, in no particular order:

Room by Emma Donoghue – This story of a mother’s courage to raise her child lovingly under horrible conditions is especially powerful due to the exceptional voice of Jack, her young son.
The Passage by Justin Cronin – Not usually my cup of tea, I found this book to be a thrilling 600 page turner about a government created virus and one lone girl who may have  the power to save mankind.  
The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer – I’m a fan of war fiction and this epic novel of a Hungarian-Jewish architecture student who travels to  pre-WWII Paris on scholarship and his experiences upon being forced to return home is beautifully written and emotionally resonant.
The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman – This funny and poignant first novel is a look at an English language newspaper in Rome and its odd group of writers and readers who are seeking both success and human connections.  
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny – I’m a little late to this series, but so glad I found it! Perfect for winter reading, this mystery is set in snowy Quebec where Inspector Gamache is recuperating when he finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation. A great mystery, a perfect setting, descriptions of food & drink, local history and politics – what else do you need?
Where the God of Love Hangs Out  by Amy Bloom – This set of short stories about the complications and joy of family, love, relationships and life, had me enthralled from beginning to end.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Klay by Michael Chabon – This is not a new release, but my brother recommended it and I couldn’t put it down. It’s chock full of ideas from Jewish folktales to the story of American comic books with magic, art, war and love thrown in.  I wish I’d find another like it.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – I re-read this for a book club and can’t believe what an amazing book this is.
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen – Franzen’s take on modern America and its preoccupation with freedom as seen through the eyes of one family.  
Going Bovine by Libba Bray – This is a great, but weird, young adult title, about a young man with mad cow disease and the travels that he makes from his hospital bed encountering angels, dwarves and fire devils.  It is so true and so funny and so sad.

 OK, that about wraps it up. Happy reading!

 ~ Dori

Teen Titles are Terrific!

staceyLeave a comment

Do you know one of my favorite things about teen books? They have the same amount of drama, action, and character development that you’d want to find in any good adult book, but they don’t have a lot of the distracting chatter. Or maybe I should have said: teen books are succinct! But you don’t have to take my word for how awesome teen books can be, you can read what everyone thought about the book they read right here:

Carol: A Spy in the House by Ying S. Lee takes place in May 1858, during London’s “Great Stink.” In the attic of a boarding school is the “Agency,” an elite, all-girl group of private investigators. Ex-thief, hotheaded 17-year-old Mary Quinn, is the Agency’s newest hire. A Spy in the House is not just a great mystery. It’s intricately plotted, humorous, and set against a well-written and well-researched historical backdrop. It stars a fabulously feisty heroine and includes a bit of romance too. What could be better? Oh yes, the second book in the Agency series, The Body in the Tower, comes out this month, I’m (not so patiently) waiting.

Megan: Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey. Solange Drake is the first female vampire born to the Drake family. According to an ancient prophecy if she survives her transformation on her sixteenth birthday she will become the next Vampire Queen. As if the threat of death from the bloodchange is not enough, the current queen, the local anti-vampire league, and a couple of rogue vampire tribes are all out to kill her. When Solange is kidnapped just days before her birthday it is up to Lucy, her human best friend, and her seven overprotective brothers to save her before it is too late.

Janet: Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi is set in the futuristic gulf coast area of the United States. Nailer, a teenage boy, leads a day to day existence stripping copper from old, grounded oil tankers. After a hurricane Nailer discovers a wrecked clipper ship full of valuables and a beautiful young girl which may lead him to a better life.

Evelyn: The Christopher Killer: A Forensic Mystery by Alane Ferguson. Cameryn Mahoney wants to become a forensic pathologist. She talks her father, the county coroner, into letting her become his assistant. When the latest victim of a serial killer is found near their small town, Cameryn learns that the victim is one of her friends and is forced to use her own intuition and forensic knowledge to help find the killer. This is the first in a planned series for young adult readers. The characters are well developed and interesting and the author includes fascinating, detailed forensic information. I wish they had books like this when I was in high school.

Emma: Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman is the diary of 12-year-old Catherine. It’s 1290 and Catherine documents daily life with lots of detail on family, friends and food. Catherine’s father, the beast, is trying to marry off his young daughter for the best price. Catherine is very clever in trying to avoid marriage, especially to smelly old men. A wonderful funny story.

Julie: Sabriel by Garth Nix is a wonderful teen fantasy book that begins the Abhorsen trilogy. Sabriel is at school living a fairly normal life when she must cross over the wall into the Old Kingdom to search for her missing father. The world of necromancers, magic and a very angry cat named Mogget is an unusual and engaging place to let the reader’s imagination loose.

Ann: The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton is a wonderful book. Crime, mystery, teen angst, and coming-of-age blend together into one of the most unusual books I’ve read in a long time. Michael discovered at an early age a special talent- he could open locks. It is precisely this talent that gets him into so much trouble that he can’t find his way out. Combine that with the fact that Michael hasn’t spoken a word since he was eight years old due to a traumatic event, and you have a narrative that zings. For most of the story, Michael is a teenager, and while this book is not written specifically for teens it definitely will appeal to teenage readers.

Dori: Solace of the Road by Siobhan Dowd tells the story of fourteen-year-old Holly Hogan who has lived in a residential care facility in London for most of her life. After finding a wig, she decides to take on a new, more courageous identity as “Solace” taking to the road to find her mother in Ireland. Holly’s voice is funny, sarcastic and smart, and her journey is realistic and uncompromising.

Stacey: Motorcycles, Sushi, and One Strange Book by Nancy Rue was an interesting book to read, both for the plot and for the subtle Christian lessons learned along the way. Fifteen-year-old Jessie has ADHD and her mom has a mental illness. When things horribly wrong at home, Jessie finds herself relocated to a new state with a father she’d never met before but it could be the best thing that ever happened to her. It just doesn’t seem that way but can the cute boy who owns his own motorcycle help Jessie find happiness?

A pretty satisfying, wide array of choices in this list, don’t you think? Me too! And while you’re selecting something from the teen room, you could also be selecting a book to read from our next genre … historical fiction! The only guideline I’ll provide this time? You’ll want to choose something set at least 25 years in the past. Enjoy the hunt, I know I will!

-Stacey