Super Librarian

In My Mailbox (61)

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:39:00 +0000

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a time for everyone to share what books they acquired over the course of the week. I'll share what I received in the mail, bought at bookstores, downloaded to my Nook/iPad, or picked up from the library.

From VOYA:

The Master of Misrule by Laura Powell (ARC)

Fury's Fire by Lisa Papademetriou

Ghosts in the Fog by Samantha Seiple (finished copy of a book I've already reviewed for the magazine. Thanks!)

From Harper Collins:

Paperback of The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond

In addition to getting these wonderful books in the mail, I also won all of Heather Wardell's books for finishing the 111 in '11 contest hosted by Jennie at Life is Short. Read Fast!

What's in your mailbox this week?

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Description:
"Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone - one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship - tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now, Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming."

I'm not usually a fan of stories set in space, but the concept for this book stood out to me as original and very interesting. The dystopian world building was fantastic. I could really imagine this fictional ship's society in all its intricate detail. It brought up a lot of questions about power, leadership, and trust in authority. I enjoyed getting both Amy and Elder's perspectives as alternating narrators. I connected more with Amy, but Elder kind of creeped me out! I didn't really feel a strong sense of chemistry between them as their relationship developed, so that was a bit disappointing. As more and more secrets of the ship were revealed, I became more intrigued. The ending was left unresolved, so I'm really curious to find out what happens in the next book of the series.

Library Love: 100 Reasons to Love Your Local Library (18)

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:00:00 +0000

I noticed that when I talk about libraries with friends and family members, they often say, "I didn't know libraries offered that!" I thought it would be fun to think up 100 reasons for people to use their local library. Some things I mention may be obvious to those of you you routinely use your public library, but others may be new to you. Either way I hope that this feature inspires you to visit and support your local library!

18. Research your family history.

If your library has subscriptions to databases such as Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest, you can use these resources to get started with researching your family history. In these databases, you'll find historical maps, the Social Security death index, free chat forums, U.S. Federal Census records, family and local history books/periodicals, and much more.

Some libraries have a designated Genealogy Librarian, while others do not. Either way, a librarian should be able help you to organize your research and point you in the right direction toward more sources of information.

Have you ever used library resources to research your family history?

Wide Awake by David Levithan

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

In the not too distant future, a gay Jewish man named Abraham Stein has been elected President of the United States. Sixteen-year-old Duncan, who is also gay and Jewish, is thrilled. He and his friends have helped support the election campaign because they believe in the President’s vision of tolerance and community. Unfortunately, the governor of Kansas decides that the results of his state’s election are invalid, and therefore the other presidential candidate (who just so happens to belong to the same political party as the governor) should be the rightful winner of the election. Duncan and his boyfriend Jimmy join in with other Stein supporters and travel to Kansas to protest the governor’s decision and stand up for what they believe in.

This is a coming of age story about a teen exploring his political beliefs and experiencing the ups and downs of first love. The characters are easy to empathize with, and the subject matter is thought-provoking. The message of love, respect, and acceptance is inspiring, but it does feel a little preachy at times. It was nice to read a novel set in the future with an optimistic tone for once!

January 2012 Wrap-up

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:13:00 +0000

My new favorite coffee mug - This has nothing to do with the post, but I had to show it off! :)

It was a good reading month for me. I finished 9 books:

1. Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis (ARC - reviewed for VOYA)
2. Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
3. The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
5. Wide Awake by David Levithan
6. Beastly by Alex Flinn
7. The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman
8. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
9. Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby (ARC - reviewed for NetGalley)

Formats: Three of those were eBooks, four were audiobooks, and two were print books.

Source: Five were library books, two were from my collection, and two were review copies.

Challenges: I reviewed one book for the Debut Author Challenge and one book for the TBR Pile Reading Challenge. I'm on track to meet my 2012 goal of 100 books read. Hopefully I can keep up the pace!

Book Clubs: Our staff book club read The Postmistress, and the FYA Book Club read The Ruby in the Smoke. Both books were just okay for me. I liked them but probably wouldn't read them again.

Favorite book of the month: I'm sure this will not come as a surprise to you...The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I was literally hugging this book when I finished it. I want to read it over and over and over! I was going to write a review, but I don't think I can say it any better than they did over at Forever Young Adult.

Currently reading: I'm listening to Room by Emma Donoghue (a staff book club pick for February). I'm also reading Fallout by Ellen Hopkins (print) and Tatiana and Alexander by Paullina Simons (eBook). I can't just read one book at a time - I have one going in every format right now!

Work: The highlight of the month for me was our third annual Life-size Lock in event at the library. Our Teen Advisory Board members help run the after-hours event. We play life-sized versions of popular games such as Monopoly, Clue, Sorry, and Candyland. We also had a station set up to play Memory (using teens' pictures as the game cards). It was a lot of fun, and everything went smoothly! I even convinced my husband to help chaperone. :)

Another thing I'm excited about at work is that we now have moved a reference desk and computer in the teen room. My supervisor and I take turns staffing the desk in the afternoons. It helps us keep an eye on the teens and help regulate their noise level (our teen room is not enclosed so noise travels!). It's also nice to be back there more often and get to know some of the teens a bit better.

How was your January?

Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby (ARC)

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Description:

"Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment."

This book is a really fun read. After reading the plot summary, you may think you can predict the ending, but I can guarantee that there are some interesting plot twists you won't see coming! The romantic elements were sweet, and I couldn't help but smile during a few scenes. I also enjoyed getting a glimpse into the secret lives of paparazzi and celebrities.

Jo is a likable main character who is easy to relate to. She's driven and goal-oriented. She knows that taking an unpleasant job is necessary in order for her to achieve her goals, but at the same time, she also knows that there are certain lines that shouldn't be crossed. Jo shows growth over the course of the story as she learns to stay true to herself and stand up for what she wants out of life.

Pick up this book if you're looking for a fun, light read with a hint of romance. Shooting Stars releases February 28th.

P.S. How adorable is that cover?

I recieved an e-galley of this book thanks to NetGalley and Walker Children's Books.

In My Mailbox (60)

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:10:00 +0000

It's been awhile since I participated in IMM. In January I didn't buy a ton of books. I got my pre-ordered copy of The Fault In Our Stars by John Green (won in a contest - thanks Jennie!). I also found some Hanklerfished copies in a local grocery store. Of course, I had to snatch one up for myself (and another copy to giveaway soon!). Hubby doesn't understand why I needed to get multiple copies and what the significance of the fish drawing is. But I know my fellow Nerdfighers will get it! :)

What's in your mailbox this week?

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

The second installment of Nora Roberts’ Bride Quartet features Emma, a wedding florist and one of the founders of Vows—Connecticut’s premiere wedding company. Emma loves being surrounded by flowers and her three best friends on the job. Though she gets a lot of attention from men, she hasn’t found the right guy just yet. She’s a big romance junkie and wants to be swept off her feet. When her longtime friend Jack starts to hint that he wants to be more than friends, Emma admits that she has feelings for him, too. As their romance develops, she worries that he will not be able to commit to the lifelong love she yearns for.

This was a light, fun read, but the plot was a little predictable. I think the ending was a bit too rushed and some of Emma’s actions seemed out of character. Overall, though, I would recommend this book to fans of romance and chick flicks for an entertaining read. I plan to finish the series – I enjoy the glimpses into the wedding planning business and the emphasis on strong female friendships.

Library Love: 100 Reasons to Love Your Local Library (17)

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:00:00 +0000

Sorry I've been such a slacker with this blog feature lately! I was in such a blogging slump these past few months that I totally neglected it. But I am getting back into the swing of things and will be posting a lot more often now. :)

17. Catch up on your favorite TV shows or discover new-to-you shows on DVD.

Money is tight for a lot of us nowadays, and many people are cancelling their cable. Libraries offer free (or cheap) DVDs of popular TV shows for you to check out. Need to catch up on your favorite show by watching past seasons? Want to discover a new show to get hooked on? Try TV on DVDs at the library!

Beastly by Alex Flinn

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Kyle Kingsbury used to have it all – money, good looks, and popularity at his elite Manhattan private school. Now, all that is gone thanks to a spell cast on him by a witch he encountered at school. Kyle has always been spoiled and vain. In the past, he relied on his attractiveness to get what he wants in life, so he finds it extremely difficult to adapt to his new beast-like appearance. He leaves school and goes into hiding. For a long time, the only human contact he has is with his housekeeper and his tutor. His own father doesn’t even want anything to do with him. In order to break the spell and return to his human form, Kyle must find his true love within the next two years.

This modern retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” is told from the beast’s point of view. Kyle not only transforms in appearance, but also in his character. It is interesting to watch this transformation as he slowly becomes a more caring, thoughtful person. The romance was a little lacking in chemistry in my opinion, and I thought that aspect of the plot could have been more developed. I wasn’t a big fan of the chat room segments in each chapter, either, although they did provide a few humorous moments. While the ending is not a surprise to those familiar with “Beauty in the Beast,” Beastly is an enjoyable, quick read that adds to the original tale by providing the beast’s perspective.

2012 Debut Author Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:38:00 +0000

This challenge is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren. Click here for more information about the challenge. The objective is to read 12 YA or MG titles by debut authors.

I didn't do very well last year, but I'm hoping to complete the challenge this year!

2011 Wrap-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:17:00 +0000

Wow, 2011 was a great year! I finished grad school, started working full-time, and got married! My husband joined the military, and we bought our first house. Life has been pretty good!

I signed up for a lot of blog challenges last year! Here's how I did:

Harry Potter Challenge - completed

YA Historical Fiction Challenge - 4/6 books read

2011 Debut Author Challenge - 3/12 books read

Support Your Local Library Challenge - completed (51+ books read)

111 in 2011 Challenge - completed

Here's the full list of what I read this year!

1. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (audiobook)

2. Glass by Ellen Hopkins

3. Winning by Losing: Drop the Weight, Change Your Life by Jillian Michaels

4. The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

5. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich (audiobook)

6. Seeing Red by Susan Crandall

7. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman (audiobook)

8. Vision in White by Susan Crandall

9. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (audiobook)

10. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (re-read)

11. A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane

12. Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson (audiobook)

13. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

14. Building Treehouses for Learning: Technology in Today's Classroom by Annette Lamb

15. The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction by Joyce G. Saricks

16. Impossible by Nancy Werlin (audiobook)

17. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (re-read)

18. Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going (audiobook)

19. Night Hawk by Stephen Overholser

20. The Spark: The 28-Day Breakthrough Plan for Losing Weight, Getting Fit, and Transforming Your Life by Chris Downie

21. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff (audiobook)

22. Making the Corps by Thomas E. Ricks

23. All-American Girl by Meg Cabot (audiobook)

24. What They Don't Teach You in Library School by Elisabeth Doucett

25. I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder

26. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer (audiobook)

27. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (re-read)

28. Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy by Sonya Sones

29. The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

30. The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People by Stephen R. Covey

31. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (re-read)

32. Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson (audiobook)

33. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

34. Bossypants by Tina Fey

35. Matched by Ally Condie (audiobook)

36. Stitches by David Small

37. The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill (ARC)

38. Where She Went by Gayle Forman

39. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson (audiobook)

40. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

41. Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O'Malley

42. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

43. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World by Bryan Lee O'Malley

44. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (audiobook)

45. Scott Pilgrim and the Infinite Sadness by Bryan Lee O'Malley

46. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (audiobook)

47. Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

48. Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together by Bryan Lee O'Malley

49. Scott Pilgrim vs. The Universe by Bryan Lee O'Malley

50. Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour by Bryan Lee O'Malley

51. The Council of Dads by Bruce Feiler (audiobook)

52. Harry Potter Film Wizardry by Brian Sibley

53. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin (audiobook, re-read)

54. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (audiobook)

55. Nocturne by Christine Johnson (ARC)

56. Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me by Chelsea Handler (audiobook)

57. The Neil Gaiman Audio Collection by Neil Gaiman (audiobook)

58. Ghosts in the Fog: The Untold Story of Alaska's WWI Invasion by Samantha Seiple (ARC)

59. Columbine by Dave Cullen

60. Delirium by Lauren Oliver (audiobook)

61. Workplace Learning and Leadership by Paul Signorelli and Lori Reed

62. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

63. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray (audiobook)

64. Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

65. Valentine Princess by Meg Cabot

66. Sweet Sixteen Princess by Meg Cabot

67. Princess on the Brink by Meg Cabot

68. Princess Lessons by Meg Cabot

69. Perfect Princess by Meg Cabot

70. The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder

71. Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen (audiobook)

72. Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

73. Overbite by Meg Cabot

74. Ready or Not by Meg Cabot (audiobook)

75. Princess Mia by Meg Cabot

76. Heaven Is For Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent

77. Forever Princess by Meg Cabot

78. Virals by Kathy Reichs (audiobook)

79. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (audiobook)

80. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

81. Holiday Princess by Meg Cabot

82. The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning (audiobook, re-read)

83. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (audiobook)

84. Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller (audiobook, re-read)

85. Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

86. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

87. Somebody Please Tell Me Who I Am by Harry Mazer and Peter Lerangis (ARC)

88. UnChristian by David Kinnaman (audiobook)

89. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (audiobook)

90. Croak by Gina Damico (ARC)

91. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (audiobook)

92. Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres (audiobook)

93. Hate List by Jennifer Brown

94. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

95. Tales of Terror by Edgar Allan Poe (audiobook)

96. Something Blue by Emily Giffin

97. Stiff: The Curious Live of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach (audiobook)

98. If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't) by Betty White (audiobook)

99. Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton (audiobook)

100. The Total Money Makeover (3rd edition) by Dave Ramsey

101. My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster (audiobook)

102. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (re-read)

103. The Alzheimer's Prevention Program: Keep Your Brain Healthy for the Rest of Your Life by Gary Small, M.D. and Gigi Vorgan

104. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

105. Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix

106. Wicked by Gregory Maguire (audiobook)

107. Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie

108. Inconceivable: A Medical Mistake, the Baby We Couldn't Keep, and Our Choice to Deliver the Ultimate Gift by Carolyn and Sean Savage (audiobook)

109. Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgess

110. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

111. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (audiobook)

I also challenged myself to read more classics, local authors, and YA award winners in 2011. I read a handful of books in each category, but I would have liked to read more. How was your 2011? Did you meet your goals?

Top 11 of 2011 - #1

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

My #1 favorite book of 2011 is:

The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

Oh, how I love this book!

Read my review.

Description from Goodreads:

"basis, n.

There has to be a moment at the beginning when you wonder whether you’re in love with the person or in love with the feeling of love itself.

If the moment doesn’t pass, that’s it—you’re done. And if the momentdoes pass, it never goes that far. It stands in the distance, ready for whenever you want it back. Sometimes it’s even there when you thought you were searching for something else, like an escape route, or your lover’s face.
How does one talk about love? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our everyday lives and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? Taking a unique approach to this problem, the nameless narrator of David Levithan’s The Lover’s Dictionary has constructed the story of his relationship as a dictionary. Through these short entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being within a couple, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time."

Top 11 of 2011 - #2

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:37:00 +0000

My #2 favorite book of 2011 is:

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

This book kept me up all night! I couldn't stop reading.

Description from Goodreads:

"It's been three years since the devastating accident . . .

three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance."

Top 11 of 2011 - #3

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:35:00 +0000

My #3 favorite book of 2011 is:

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

This is definitely a swoonworthy read!

Description from Goodreads:

"Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door."

Top 11 of 2011 - #4

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:08:00 +0000

My #4 favorite book of 2011 is:

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Read my review.

Description from Goodreads:

"Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last."

Top 11 of 2011 - #5

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:10:00 +0000

My #5 favorite book of 2011 is:

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Description from Goodreads:

"Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low. And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war. Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out. When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?"

Top 11 of 2011 - #6

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:06:00 +0000

My #6 favorite book of 2011 is:

Bossypants by Tina Fey

Read my review.

Description from Goodreads:

"Before Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin" — Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV.

She has seen both these dreams come true.

At last, Tina Fey's story can be told. From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately half-hearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon — from the beginning of this paragraph to this final sentence.

Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've all suspected: you're no one until someone calls you bossy."

Top 11 of 2011 - #7

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 04:07:00 +0000

My #7 favorite book of 2011:

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

This book made me laugh so much. And the audio version is excellent. It's read by the author, and she does some hilarious, spot-on accents.

Description from Goodreads:

"The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea, crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program - or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan - or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again."

Top 11 of 2011 - #8

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:15:00 +0000

My #8 favorite book of 2011 is:

The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill

I reviewed this book for VOYA in August. It's not one I would have initially picked up on my own, but I'm glad that I did! It's a really great middle grade read.

Description from Goodreads:

"When Jack is sent to Hazelwood, Iowa, to live with his crazy aunt and uncle, he expects a summer of boredom. Little does he know that the people of Hazelwood have been waiting for him for a long time. . . .

When he arrives, three astonishing things happen: First, he makes friends-not imaginary friends but actual friends. Second, he is beaten up by the town bully; the bullies at home always ignored him. Third, the richest man in town begins to plot Jack's imminent, and hopefully painful, demise. It's up to Jack to figure out why suddenly everyone cares so much about him. Back home he was practically, well, invisible.

The Mostly True Story of Jack is a tale of magic, friendship, and sacrifice. It's about things broken and things put back together. Above all, it's about finding a place to belong."

Friday Five (3)

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

It's been awhile since I shared a Friday Five. Here we go...

1. My husband has to work on Christmas, so we exchanged gifts early. He got 3/4 of my gifts from Barnes and Noble. He is trained very well. ;)

2. Speaking of Barnes and Noble, my parents gave me the gift of a Nook upgrade! If you bring in your 1st generation Nook and purchase one of the newer versions, you get $50 Barnes and Noble gift card. I think this deal is only good through Christmas Eve. I ended up choosing the Nook Simple Touch and I love it. I'll post pictures of all my bookish gifts soon.

3.It's been a pretty rough month at work. My library is in the midst of a financial crisis, and we've already gone through a couple rounds of layoffs. We'll be reducing operating hours soon. I still have a job (thankfully!) but I'm going to have some schedule changes and reduced benefits. I'm happy with the sacrifices if it means I get to keep working at the library I love, though.

4. This week I saw a new doctor about a long list of seemingly random symptoms I've been experiencing for quite some time which have worsened lately with stress/anxiety. She was really patient and listened to all my concerns, and she gave me some options for managing the different symptoms. I feel positive that I'll see some improvements soon. It's just nice to know I'm not crazy, and that these symptoms are actually related chronic conditions that can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes.

5. I've almost reached my reading goal for the year (111). I need to finish the 2 books I'm reading now, and then read 2 more by December 31st. I think I can do it!

Happy holidays!

Top 11 of 2011 - #9

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:34:00 +0000

My #9 pick for 2011 is:

Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres

This is another great audiobook read by the author.
(I promise there will be some print books on my list eventually too!)

Description from Goodreads:
"Sometimes the greatest things are the most embarrassing." Ellen Degeneres' winning, upbeat candor has made her show one of the most popular, resilient and honored daytime shows on the air. (To date, it has won no fewer than 31 Emmys.) Seriously... I'm Kidding, Degeneres' first book in eight years, brings us up to date about the life of a kindhearted woman who bowed out of American Idol because she didn't want to be mean. Lively; hilarious; often sweetly poignant."

Top 11 of 2011 - #10

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 04:28:00 +0000

My #10 pick for 2011 is:

If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't) by Betty White

I listened to the audiobook version of this book. It's read by Betty, and I highly recommend it!

Description from Goodreads:

"It-girl Betty White delivers a hilarious, slyly profound take on love, life, celebrity, and everything in between.

Drawing from a lifetime of lessons learned, seven-time Emmy winner Betty White's wit and wisdom take center stage as she tackles topics like friendship, romantic love, aging, television, fans, love for animals, and the brave new world of celebrity. If You Ask Me mixes her thoughtful observations with humorous stories from a seven- decade career in Hollywood. Longtime fans and new fans alike will relish Betty's candid take on everything from her rumored crush on Robert Redford (true) to her beauty regimen (I have no idea what color my hair is and I never intend to find out") to the Facebook campaign that helped persuade her to host Saturday Night Live despite her having declined the hosting job three times already.

Featuring all-new material, with a focus on the past fifteen years of her life, If You Ask Me is funny, sweet, and to the point-just like Betty White."

Top 11 of 2011 - #11

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:27:00 +0000

I've been neglecting my blog lately (sorry!). But I'm back to share my favorite reads of the year. On Twitter, librarians are sharing their top 11 reads of 2011 with the hashtag #libfavs2011. I thought I'd share my picks here too.

My #11 favorite book of the year:

Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me by Chelsea's Family, Friends & Other Victims

I listened to the audiobook version (read my review).

If you're making a top 11 list, what's your #11 pick?

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Super Librarian) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:00:00 +0000

It's that time of year again - time to sign up for blog challenges!

I've decided to only sign up for a few challenges in 2012, and this is definitely one I'm excited about! I have way too many books in my TBR pile, and it's only going to keep growing if I don't tackle it now.

Visit Bookish to read up on all the challenge details and guidelines.

Here is the full list of hosts:

Evie from Bookish - http://www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com @SeoEvie
Nicole from All I Ever Read - http://www.nicoleabouttown.com/ @Nicoleabouttown
Bonnie from Hands and Home - http://www.handsandhome.ca/ @HandsHomeBlog
Donna from Book Passion For Life - http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/ @BookPforLife
Caitlin from WatchYA Reading - http://whatchyareading.net @caitlingss
Rie from Mission To Read - http://missiontoread.com/ @missiontoread
Vicky from Books, Biscuits & Tea -http://booksbiscuitsandtea.blogspot.com/ @alouetteuette
Christa from Hooked On Books - http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com @ChristasBooks
Jenna from Fans Of Fiction - http://fansoffiction.blogspot.com/ @fansoffiction
Angel from Mermaids Vision - http://mermaidvision.wordpress.com @mermaidvisions

Levels:
1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - A Sweet Kiss
31-40 - Love At First Sight
41-50 - Married With Children

I am signing up for the "Married With Children" level. Why not aim high? As of today, I have 71 print books that I own but haven't read yet. I also am a sucker for free eBooks & audiobooks, so I have 142 eBooks and 31 audiobooks on my TBR list (that's 244 total books across the three formats!).

Here are a just few from my list:

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian
Sold by Patricia McCormick

And the list goes on and on! I'll post a full list as a wrap-up at the end of the challenge. :)