TEEN BOOK GUILD

Page to Plate: The Unofficial Studio Ghibli Cookbook

2026-05-14T06:49:58.236-07:00

In our Page to Plate series, the Teen Book Guild brings the library to their kitchen. Each post features teens checking out a cookbook from the library, trying out recipes that catch their eye (or appetite!), and sharing their culinary adventures—successes, surprises, and even the occasional kitchen mishap. Whether they’re flipping pages or flipping pancakes, these foodies are exploring how cookbooks can inspire creativity, confidence, and connection.

Grab a fork—and a library card—and dig in!

Title: The Unofficial Studio Ghibli Cookbook
by Jessica Yun

Chosen by: Abby A.

Summary

"Since 1985, Studio Ghibli has enchanted moviegoers with fantastic stories of adventure, magic, friendship, family, and most of all--the most delicious-looking animated food. Now you can create your own mouthwatering dishes with this book full of 50 unofficial, fan-created recipes! From tantalizing breakfasts and lunches to Japanese favorites like yakitori and onigiri."

Why I picked it:

I love Studio Ghibli, and have always wanted to eat the food in the movies, because they look so good!

What's inside?

It has content of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even desserts! Many of the recipes resemble the dishes in the movies.

What recipe(s) did you try?

Skillet Bacon and Eggs, Haaaaaaaam Ramen, and Open-Faced Cheese and Onion Sandwhich.

How easy were the recipes to follow?

1 – Easy Peasy
Minimal ingredients, simple steps, and hardly any cleanup. Perfect for beginners or when you're just really hungry.

2 – A Bit of a Challenge
Basic skills required—maybe some chopping or stove time—but still totally doable without breaking a sweat.

3 – Bring Your A-Game
You'll need to follow the recipe closely and use some real kitchen tools. Not hard, but you’ve got to focus.

4 – Serious Chef Mode
Multiple steps, tricky techniques, or ingredients you've never heard of. Be ready to commit!

5 – Super Difficult
Like, “Did I accidentally sign up for a cooking competition?” level. Expect a challenge—and bragging rights if you pull it off!

Did the recipes turn out as expected?

Yes

Would you recommend this cookbook to other teens?

Yes

Additional thoughts or fun stories from your cooking experience?

I had lots of fun making the dishes, and even had my brother, who also loves Studio Ghibli, make them with me!

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors You Wish Were Still Writing Today

2026-05-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

By Zara R.

When it comes to authors I wish were still writing today, in my opinion, it is a bit of a somber topic. Many authors on this list have sadly passed away, leaving behind an irreplaceable impact with their works. While it is sad to discuss, I believe it’s important to honor their contributions and reflect on their impact that has inspired writers and readers alike. Their stories continue to inspire and shape some of our favorite genres as we know it, showing us that their voices are still relevant today and in the future.

1.JRR Tolkien-

The Lord of the Rings trilogy is considered one of the most important works of literature. It didn’t just tell a wonderful story, It helped create the modern genre of fantasy as we know it. It’s hard to find any fantasy book since the 1950s that has not shown a hint of inspiration from JRR Tolkien's work. Tolkien's fantasy world has captured millions of readers' interest, myself included. Whenever I'm getting burned out of the fantasy genre, I read a little snippet of The Hobbit and it reignites my joy for the genre once again! That’s why I believe Tolkien belongs on this list, his stories are timeless and leave you wishing there were more stories of Middle Earth to discover.

2.Agatha Christie -

When I think of the genre of crime thriller, one author instantly comes to my mind: Agatha Christie. Her stories always have me on the edge of my seat waiting for more, and I always find myself shocked by the plot twist. Christie defined the “Golden Age” of detective fiction in the 1920s. She is a best-selling author of all time with her books, behind only the Bible and Shakespeare. Her novels are fast-paced, use brilliant misdirection, and are iconic. Christie's novels will always hold a place in my heart.

3.George Orwell- “Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past"- George Orwell. When it comes to authors I wish were still writing, Orwell instantly comes to my mind. Through works such as 1984 and Animal Farm, Orwell was able to create unique dystopian worlds that go far beyond fiction. They force the reader to think more deeply and consider perspectives they may have never seen. His ability to turn complex political ideas into deeply engaging and unsettling stories make his works feel deeply relevant to today. Orwell did not just write stories, he started conversations for future generations, which makes me wonder what he would say in his writing about the world today.

4. Frank Herbert- I recently discovered my love for science fiction through books such as Scythe by Neal Shusterman and The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, which eventually led me to discover Frank Herbert's works. Best known today for his novel Dune, Herbert created the modern day foundation for science fiction. Herbert's novels focus on complex ecological, political, and philosophical themes over technology, which created the modern boundaries for the genre of science fiction today, similar to JRR Tolkien with fantasy. Herbert’s expansive universe filled with intricate societies and interstellar conflicts, has had a lasting effect on readers, even inspiring works like Star Wars. With the new Dune: Messiah movie coming out this year, Herbert's legacy continues to shape and inspire the genre of sci-fi.

5. Stephen Chbosky- When it comes to authors who understand the struggles of teenage life, Stephen Chbosky stands out for his relatable and honest storytelling. His most well known work is The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which is a coming of age story that explores the challenges of navigating through high school. Today Chbosky is most recognized for his work as a screenwriter and director, but his impact as a writer still resonates with many readers.

6. S.E. Hinton- If you have graduated from your career as a middle school student, you have likely heard the phrase “Stay gold, Ponyboy”. The Outsiders is a classic coming-of-age novel that explores themes of brotherhood, loyalty, loss, and social injustice. For many 7th and 8th graders, it’s one of the first books that proves reading could be more than a boring school assignment. It can be engaging, emotional, and can make readers understand the world in a new light. Her ability to capture the struggles of being young in such a relatable way has left a lasting impact on hundreds of readers. Today, S.E. Hinton has moved away from the genre of young adult novels, and used her talents in screen writing and children's picture books. Still, I will admit that I am disappointed that I will never hear such a great coming of age story like The Outsiders from S.E. Hinton again.

7.Jerome David Salinger- J.D. Salinger's works helped revolutionize post-WWII literature by bringing attention to the youth angst and the challenges of growing up. In The Catcher and the Rye, the protagonist becomes a lasting voice of teenage rebellion and the difficult transition to adulthood. Beyond his most famous novels, Salinger also published several short stories in The New Yorker, many of which focused on psychological realism and personal struggles that changed American fiction forever. His writing showed the struggle to remain true to oneself in a world that often feels superficial, a theme that continues to stay prevalent throughout generations.

8. Roald Dahl- I remember watching what felt like the most traumatizing movie known to mankind, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), which shaped my opinion of this story for nearly a decade. When I finally read this novel in 4th grade I was shocked to find that it wasn't that bad at all, it was fun! Roald Dahl is one of the most famous children's authors of all time, known for his beloved works such as Matilda, The BGF, and Fantastic Mr. Fox. His stories often focus on empowering children and highlighting their ability to overcome hardships and unjust adult authority while staying true to themselves. Although Dahl’s novels have received criticism for their darker themes and rebellious nature, that's what makes them so important in my opinion. His books remind young readers that they are capable, creative, and strong - qualities that resonate with you far past childhood.

9.Judy Blume- Judy Blume’s radical honesty helped change children's and young adult literature forever. She has written stories that are relatable and show real and difficult experiences of childhood. Her novel Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, is especially groundbreaking for normalizing the anxieties, questions, and changes that come with adolescence. While she is now enjoying her life in retirement, her stories continue to normalize difficult childhood struggles and remind readers that they are not alone in their experiences.

10.Lewis Carroll- Wonderland is a world of nonsensical magic, mystery, and madness. Lewis Carroll's works depict what it is like to be a child; it embodies the wonderful nature and creativity of being young. His novel of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has remained prevalent even with over one hundred years since the original date of publication, with over fifty film and television adaptations and more to come, Carrol’s work has inspired many generations to embrace their childlike behavior and creativity.

Top Ten Tuesday: April Showers

2026-04-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

by Elena

There’s absolutely nothing better than curling up in bed with the most charming romance you’ve ever read, with a spring shower coming down outside. And what better time to share my favorite books than during springtime?

The Upside of Falling by Alex Light

This novel follows two teens grappling with family issues. Book nerd, Becca Hart, tells her friend she has a boyfriend to avoid embarrassment, and Brett Wells, the popular football captain, steps in to fake date Becca. As they lean on each other for support through difficult times, their relationship blossoms into something neither of them could have imagined.

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Jessie moves to LA to live with her father and his new wife, while still grieving the loss of her own mother. During her first week of school, she received a mysterious text from SN. They help her navigate high school and intense emotions, while keeping their identity secret. Meanwhile, she feels herself falling for her moody, quiet English partner. Will SN ever reveal their identity? Or will her silly adventures to discover who they are be all for nothing?

The Do-over by Lynne Painter

Emilie wakes up on Valentine’s Day, only to experience the worst chain of events of her life. Unable to wait for the day to be over, she goes to bed, but inexplicably wakes up in a time loop. The day repeats over and over until she finally realizes: there are no consequences for her actions. Will she wake up the next day, or is she destined to be stuck repeating the same day for the rest of her life?

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

America’s fattest teen, Libby Strout, and Jack Masselin, a boy with face-blindness, form an unlikely bond. Together, the pair navigates bullying, vulnerability, and everyday struggles in high school. Though they seem an unlikely pair, could they be perfect for each other?

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

This heart shattering book follows the tragic love of Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, two terminally ill teens. The book represents the difficulty of living with cancer, the joys of being in love, and the pains of loss and grief.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

A vampire and a werewolf fall in love with a human? Bella Swan is trapped in a love triangle with the two most handsome boys in Forks, Washington, but they are mortal enemies. This book (as well as its following saga) is a classic, especially among teenage girls, and for a reason. The perfect book for a hopeless romantic, especially one who loves a good romantasy filled with swoony moments, as well as moments sure to make your jaw drop and your heart race.

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Travel and romance. Who wouldn’t want that? Except Lina doesn’t want anything except to be with her mother. Unfortunately for her, that isn’t an option anymore. Struggling with the loss of her mother, she must move to Tuscany to spend the summer with Howard, the father she’s never met. Following her mother’s footsteps through her journal, will she even have enough time for Lorenzo, the charming Italian boy who offers to help her track down her mother’s past life? You’ll just have to wait and see in this perfect European love story.

If He had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

Laura Nowlin delivers the perfect, soul-crushing, tear-jerking slow burn romance. Childhood best friends Finny and Autumn drifted apart in high school, but will they be able to make it back together, or will they just be left wondering what could have happened?

What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

An unexpected friendship forms when Kit Lowell joins socially isolated David Drucker at lunch. Attempting to process her father’s death, David just might be exactly what she needs. Incredibly smart and yearning for Kit, he can’t believe his luck. But when things take a turn for the worse, will their friendship disappear as fast as it formed? Every novel from Julie Buxbaum is extremely entertaining, and this one is no different.

Better Than the Movies by Lynne Painter

They’ve been enemies forever, but still, Liz needs all the help she can get. She enlists her neighbor, Wes Bennett, to help her capture the attention of her long-term crush. Somehow, though, her goal seems to switch, and she finds herself falling for Wes. This insanely viral book is popular for a reason and will make you gasp, laugh, and smile ear-to-ear.

Top Ten Tuesday: Buzzwords or Phrases That Make Me Want to Read (or Avoid) a Book

2026-03-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

by Enola

Everyone has certain book buzzwords that make them run to read a book--“Witches” or “Second Chance” or maybe even “Assassins.” There’s also definitely buzzwords that would make you avoid a book. I have quite a few buzzwords that make me avoid a book, and many that make me want to read a one. So, for today’s Top Ten Tuesday, I'll share my Top Ten Buzzwords That Make Me Read (or Avoid) a Book (in no particular order).

MAGICAL WORLDS (READ)

The moment anyone says that a book is set in an interesting magical world, I have to grab it! I love books with magical worlds—Once Upon a BrokenHeart, Caraval, the Harry Potter series, you name it! Magical worlds make me feel immersed and cozy because we don’t have magic in the real world, and the stories are so interesting. Our world is normal, so when someone comes up with such an interesting magic world like the one in Harry Potter, I love to read about it.

LOVE TRIANGLE (AVOID)

This trope literally makes me run away from a book. A lot of times, love triangles can be frustrating and overused, or not executed properly, or even worse, the guy/girl the protagonist ends up with isn’t the one you’re rooting for! I can think of many books where I hated the love triangle, and found it frustrating. I definitely think whether or not love triangles are enjoyable depends on the book (and the person the protagonist ends up with).

THE CHOSEN ONE (READ)

I like the Chosen One trope. There are many popular books that execute this well (For example, the Harry Potter series, and the Percy Jackson series), and it’s a trope I notice that I do not get tired of. The Chosen One creates an interesting, high-stakes book with a focused main character, and I really enjoy that.

ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS (READ BUT OCCASIONALLY AVOID)

This trope is frequently used by many authors and is in tons of best-selling books but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad trope. I like this trope when it’s done well. However, I find a lot of Enemies-to-Lovers to be very unrealistic (aka the ones where the leads hate each other, and then ten minutes later, they’re deeply in love. It makes no sense!). But when it’s done correctly, I really enjoy it (for example, Once Upon a Broken Heart).

MISCOMMUNICATION (AVOID)

I dislike this trope so much. If you don’t know the Miscommunication trope, let me give you an example. Chris likes Liz, but acts a certain way that makes Liz think Chris hates her, so she starts to hate him (since she’s upset), and then problems arise. Then later, they clarify that everything was all a big misunderstanding. Just communicate! It’s so frustrating! Chris should just be honest and tell Liz he likes her, not act like he hates her! And Liz should say how she’s feeling! Why is Miscommunication even a trope? I avoid reading books with the Miscommunication trope, as it can be really annoying.

FOUND FAMILY (READ)

This trope is so lovely! I’ve enjoyed many books with found family. I think books with found family can be really nice and sweet. Some books that execute this well (in my opinion) include Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Harry Potter, The Naturals, and The Inheritance Games. Found family just adds a certain coziness and wholesomeness to a book.

SCI-FI (AVOID)

If somebody even says the word “Sci-fi,” I’m automatically uninterested. Sci-fi books with aliens or traveling to other planets is just so boring and strange to me. A lot of times sci-fi books are too intense in my eyes or terrifying or even a little slow. I’m not really interested in, for example, an astronaut’s journey to Mars, or someone who’s in a spaceship and is being attacked by the most terrifying aliens. It’s just not my thing.

DYSTOPIAN (AVOID)

The second somebody says “I just read a great dystopian!” I immediately know that I will not like the book. I like to avoid dystopian stories because of the intense alternate realities they present. I read books to experience a magical world or an interesting mystery, not a crazy and scary alternate version of the world I’m living in.

ABILITIES (READ)

I really like when characters have cool and interesting abilities like Cassie Hobbes and her ability to read people (The Naturals), or Percy Jackson and his ability to control water (Percy Jackson and the Olympians series). Anytime somebody tells me about a book with a character with special abilities, I’m always interested because I like fantastical and fictional abilities that are either impossible to have or difficult to have. Special abilities are very entertaining to read.

MAGIC (READ)

I am such a huge fan of magic books. I really enjoy reading about all the different magical worlds with their unique magic systems and rules. Magical characters are so interesting, with all their cool abilities and complex stories. Magic is definitely a buzzword that makes me want to read a book. Some magic books I enjoyed include Caraval, Once Upon a Broken Heart, the Harry Potter series, and TheGirl Who Fell Beneath the Sea.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my top ten, and that you found your next read. Happy reading!🌸

No More Quiet Girls: Teen Reads for Women's History Month

2026-03-26T07:29:00.000-07:00

March is Women's History Month—a time to celebrate the voices, achievements, and resilience of women past and present. One of the most powerful ways to explore women’s history is through story, especially the stories that portray young women finding their voices, challenging expectations, and shaping the world around them.

The stories below spotlight girls who refuse to stay quiet, who question, resist, and reclaim their place in history, even when the odds are stacked against them. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, empowerment, or simply a great story, these books offer a meaningful way to honor Women’s History Month, one page at a time.

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee is a captivating story that keeps readers hooked at every chapter. It details the challenging life of Jo Kuan as a Chinese American in 1890’s Atlanta, a city that doesn’t even consider her a citizen, as she secretly lives in a basement along with her caretaker Old Gin.

Ms. Lee manages to end every chapter of the book with a dramatic bang that refuses to let you stop reading. Each chapter was fast-paced, littered with suspense, drama and a plot twist right around the corner. I loved reading about historic Atlanta and every good and bad thing about it. I also loved the characters in the story making do with what they got, as they showed resilience against an unfair world.

Jo Kuan and her story should serve as an inspiration to everyone as a story to work for what you believe in and to prevail. I blazed through this book because of how much I enjoyed it. I would give it a 5/5 stars.

- Christopher

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley is a YA thriller that focuses on a young woman named Perry. She is determined to claim back what has been stolen from her family so many generations ago. With high stakes, and suspense around every corner, this book is a perfect for people who enjoy thriller books.

-Ava

The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrtes, and Helped Win World War II by Candace Fleming is a narrative nonfiction book that follows the stories of ten teenage girls who helped decode ciphers and keep secrets throughout World War II. Whether it was picking up Morse code signals in a listening station, working with a complex Bombe machine, or decoding messages using the Enigma machine, each task led the Allies one step closer to victory. Through their intelligence, determination, hard work, and dedication, these girls helped turn the tide of war.

-Sophie

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu follows the story of a Texas girl named Vivian. Fed up with her school not punishing boys for their disgusting, misogynistic behavior, she decides to take matters into her own hands. Inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement–an underground feminist punk movement that started in the 1990s–, Vivian starts a feminist zine called “Moxie”. Through Moxie, Vivian learns how to navigate relationships and to fight back and stay strong, even when situations seem hopeless. Moxie is a powerful anthem for everyone out there who feels objectified or dismissed. We are stronger together.

-Holly

What book do you plan to read that celebrates women?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Spring 2026 To-Read List

2026-03-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

By Sophie L.

As a new season comes, so do new books to add to your TBR list. Spring is a time of change, so it may be time to change up your taste and try a different genre! My to-read list this spring is filled with romance, fantasy, comedy, drama, and a bit of historical fiction. Here are the top ten books I’m itching to read as we move into verdant springtime.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

This novel explores the universal story of navigating high school, told through a series of letters that reveal the life of Charlie, who is a freshman in high school and a wallflower. “We accept the love we think we deserve,” is a famous quote from this book. Such a beautiful quote must have a beautiful story, and I can’t wait to unravel it.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Shiori is the princess of Kiata who has forbidden magic running through her veins. When she loses control of her powers, her stepmother turns Shiori’s six brothers into cranes and warns the princess that for each word she speaks, one of her brothers will die. Now she must save her brothers, reclaim the throne, and learn to embrace the magic she was taught to suppress. Also, this story has Chinese and Japanese folklore? Count me in!

Kamisama Kiss by Julietta Suzuki

Kamisama Kiss follows Nanami, recently homeless, who inherits a shrine and becomes a local deity. With her new role comes many responsibilities and a cranky fox yokai, Tomoe, who becomes her familiar. This series is such a classic shoujo romance, and Nanami is such a likeable MC! I’m definitely reading this.

Lovely War by Julie Berry

Set in the dreary days of World Wars I and II, this book is about four humans whose fates and hearts lie in the hands of the gods. Their stories, which we follow through the goddess Aphrodite as she tells them to the gods Hephaestus and Ares, prove that love can transcend even the great evil that is war. I love stories that focus on multiple romances!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

In The Book Thief, Death acts as a narrator, telling us the story of Liesel, whose book-stealing and story-telling skills bring light to herself and those around her amidst the horrors of WWII. This book is definitely full of angst, and when I need a good cry, I’m 100% picking up this book.

A Silent Voice by Yoshitoki Ōima

When Shoko Nishimiya, a deaf girl, joins the elementary class of Shoya Ishida, a bully, he and his friends begin tormenting her. However, when the cruelty goes too far, Shoko switches schools, and Shoya turns into a scapegoat, going from the bully to the bullied. Six years later, Shoya and Shoko’s paths cross again. Shoya struggles to make amends with Shoko and confront his classmates who turned on him. I’ve heard really good things about this series, and I’m curious about Shoya’s character growth.

The Red Palace by June Hur

Hyeon, an eighteen-year-old palace nurse, and a young royal police investigator pair up to solve the mystery of a series of grisly murders in the Joseon dynasty of Korea. Throughout the treacherous search for the murderer, Hyeon begins to find herself entangled with dangerous political schemes and the young inspector. This book is basically a blend of my favorite genres, so I’m really excited to check it out!

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

This is for fans of Spirited Away! The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea follows Mina as she traverses through the Spirit Realm to awaken the Sea God from an enchanted sleep. She is accompanied by a mysterious man named Shin and a band of gods, demons, and spirits. When I saw this book for the first time, the cover took my breath away, and I had to stop to admire it. It’s simply stunning, and the plot sounds absolutely sublime!

Phantom Busters by Shoco

Phantom Busters is a shonen action comedy manga! Four boys, Eugene, Mogari, Kaoru, and Kotaro, create an exorcist club at school to fight spectral foes. Mogari can eat ghosts, Kaoru can see ghosts, Kotaro can talk to ghosts, and Eugene is a straight-A student who doesn’t believe in ghosts. When the four boys put together their abilities, they set out to exorcise evil. This is a really fun read, especially for comic lovers, and the art style is magnificent!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Ending with a classic, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, is about Bruno, a German boy, who befriends a Jewish boy during the time of the Holocaust. However, their friendship will lead to devastating consequences that will make you cry. Though it’s a sad story, I’m interested to read about the enduring innocent friendship of these two boys even in one of the darkest points of history.

[Librarian note: Check out our 5 Questions With...interview with author Axie Oh!

5 Questions with...Axie Oh!

2026-03-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

by Enola

Photo credit https://www.axieoh.com

Recently, I had the great pleasure of interviewing an amazing New York Times bestselling author, Axie Oh, for the Winter Park Library’s Teen Book Guild “5 Questions With…” series. She is an author of many great books, such as XOXO, ASAP, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, and The Floating World duology starter. Axie Oh writes many YA novels inspired by Korean culture, history, K-dramas, K-pop, and folklore.

Q: What inspired you to write your books like ASAP, or The Girl Who Fell Beneath, and are any of the characters based off of people you know?

For ASAP, I was inspired by my love of K-pop, visits to Seoul (the vibrant capital city of South Korea), and second chance romances, like the classic Persuasion by Jane Austen. For The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, I was inspired by my love of fairytale retellings and Korean myths and legends, as well as Hayao Miyazaki’s film Spirited Away.

The characters aren’t based off anyone in particular except for, perhaps, Mina’s older brother, Joon, from The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, who was somewhat based off my older brother.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a writer and what’s something readers might not know about one of your books?

I wanted to be a writer after high school, when I entered college. I took classes in fiction writing and poetry and started to share my work with others (friends, peers, teachers, and online). Readers might not know that it took eight years for The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea to become published. I first wrote it in 2014, and it wasn’t published until 2022. Around twenty or so editors passed on publishing the book before it found its home with the perfect editor and publisher.

Q: What was the most challenging scene or book to write, and why?

The most challenging scene in The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was a scene that occurs in chapter three, when Mina meets Shin, Namgi, and Kirin for the first time. I had to juggle introducing three new characters, one of whom is masked for most of the chapter, while also making the scene exciting and move the plot forward. The hardest book for me to write so far was The Floating World because I sold it on what was basically a concept (a retelling of Korean celestial maidens set in a steampunk fantasy world) and then had to discover the characters, world, and plot from there!

Q: Which character out of all your books are you most attached to and do you have a favorite line or chapter in one of your books?

I’m definitely attached to Mina from The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, and one line that I like that I don’t see quoted as often is from the first chapter: Behind them, the dragon rises silently out of the water, its long neck extending into the sky. Seawater falls off its dark blue scales, dropping like coins onto the boat’s deck.

The line that I write when I sign books is: Don’t chase fate. Let fate chase you.

Q: Do you have any advice or words for aspiring authors?

Your first reader is always yourself: write the story that calls to you, with characters that you can’t stop thinking about. Please your inner reader before you please anyone else. On a practical level, start with a messy first draft, and try to reach “the end” even if you have to skip whole scenes. After you’ve reached the end and know the story beats and characters arcs, you can go back and revise the story to make it really shine.

Thank you so much to Ms. Oh for taking the time to do the Winter Park Library’s Teen Book Guild “5 Questions With…” interview, I greatly appreciate it.

I hope you enjoyed getting to read her answers as much as I did, and learning more about her amazing books and her author career. You can check out ASAP, XOXO, Rebel Seoul, The Floating World, and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea at the Winter Park Library!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Romance Books I Look Forward To Reading This Year

2026-02-10T05:30:00.000-08:00

by Enola

Romance is one of the most popular genres in books. Everybody reads some kind of romance, whether it’s a romantasy, a mystery with a side of a romance, a Christmas romance, or a rom-com. I happen to like all four. Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I thought I’d share the top ten romance books I look forward to reading this year based on their descriptions. I mean, what better time to talk about all books romance, right?

1. Kiki’s Delivery Service Film Comic based on the novel by Eiko Kadono

Kiki is a thirteen year old half-witch who chooses a new town to live in for a year as per witch tradition. She ends up in Koriko, a seaside village, where it’s a little hard to get the locals to trust her. She has a cat companion named Jiji, and she also meets Tombo, a boy her age who has a crush on her. I literally want to read this book as soon as possible.

2. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Love & Gelato sounds like the perfect romantic summer read! What’s more enchanting than reading an Italian romance with some gelato by your side? I think this book sounds very cute and wholesome, and I definitely want to give it a read. The story follows Lina, who is spending the summer in Italy fulfilling her mother’s dying wish for Lina to get to know her father. But, when Lina is given her mother’s old journal, she sets out to find a secret and possibly love.

3. P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

This novel by Kasie West is a sweet and funny romance novel where high school student Lily writes down some music lyrics on her class desk only to return the next day to find someone has written the rest of the lyrics and also included a message. She becomes pen pals with this mysterious person. The more they share, the more Lily realizes that she might have a crush on him, but she has no idea who he is. I think it sounds like a delightful and romantic read.

4. Witty in Pink by Erica George

Calling all Jane Austen fans! This book is a historical romance about two frenemies. Briggs Goswick is the male lead in this story but Blythe can’t stand him. Actually, he doesn’t care much for her either. Blythe describes him as a man-child but an attractive man-child. As Blythe is busy trying to save her family’s name and fortune, she soon discovers Briggs is also financially broke. Blythe must come up with a plan to save her family from ruins. Briggs is also in a desperate need of money so they have to help each other out. It sounds like a funny enemies to lovers, which I think I’ll really enjoy.

5. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Of course it’s a curse! Poor Sophie Hatter is cursed by the Witch of the Waste and becomes an old woman. Lucky for Sophie, the solution is (kind of) simple. All she has to do is head to Howl’s Moving Castle. Once there, Sophie meets Howl, who might just be her soulmate, and Calcifer, a fire demon who Sophie makes a deal with. The goal? Find the Witch of the Waste and face her head-on. This fantasy sounds like the perfect mix of friendship, adventure, and romance, making it perfect for people looking for a nice read.

6. Angelica and the Bear Prince by Trung Le Nguyen

I’ve seen this book quite a few times and I’ve always thought it looked sweet and wholesome. So, finally, this year I’m making sure I read it! Angelica and the Bear Prince follows main character Angelica, a high-schooler who finds herself worn out. Angelica starts to receive encouraging messages from the local theater mascot, and in hopes to discover who exactly is behind the bear costume, Angelica gets an internship at the theater. This read sounds very sweet and also sounds like a nice palate-cleanser, as it is also a graphic novel.

7. My Favorite Color is Mistletoe by Eva Austin

I like Christmas books. Something about reading festive books during the holiday season with a cup of hot chocolate in hand is very magical, and I’ve heard a lot of good reviews about this one. The story follows Audrey, who is going through a breakup, and now dreading all the couple’s activities at her family’s annual Christmas gathering. She agrees to fake date Jax but soon enough Audrey realizes maybe she can find love. It sounds like a wholesome Christmas read which I’ll read during the holiday season.

8. Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo

I’ve been wanting to read this book. It seems right up my alley with a good mix of fantasy and romance. This book is also a Netflix series, which is great. The story follows Alina Starkov, a solider who, when her regiment is attacked, suddenly releases magic unknown to her to save them. This plunges her into a world of magic as she trains with the Grisha, her country’s magical elite. The only problem seems to be their leader, the Darkling, who believes she is the only one who can destroy the Shadowfold once she masters her gift.

9. Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc

I really enjoyed Mint To Be written by this author last holiday season, so I’ve been wanting to give her other novel, (featuring characters from Mint To Be) a shot. The story follows Lucy Kane, who works at her mom’s coffee shop in Briar Glen called Cup o’ Joe. Unfortunately, business hasn’t been too great, but it usually gets better during the fall—or at least it did because now Java Junction, a coffee chain, just became Cup o’ Joe’s neighbor and rival. The worst part is that Jack Harper, Lucy’s crush, is the owner’s son. I think this read will be great for October. It also sounds quite funny.

10. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

This classic novel which I’ve been wanting to read is set in Regency England and follows the rivalry, and eventual romance of Elizabeth Bennet, one of the five Bennet daughters, and the arrogant Mr. Darcy. I plan on reading it very soon. The reviews for this are amazing, and people are always recommending it.

This concludes my “Top Ten Romance Books I Look Forward To Reading This Year”. I hope this helped you find some books to add to your TBR. Happy reading!

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

2026-01-23T09:26:00.000-08:00

Reviewed by Emmanuela
Grade 8

In a world of magic, Tasmin Lark was born without it and hunts ancient relics with magical sources. After her foster father's disappearance seven years ago, her main goal is to protect her brother, Cabell, and break his life-threatening curse. She learns of a ring that can break any spell and seeks it to save her brother. On her quest, she is forced to work with her rival, Emrys Dye, who also wants the ring. Along the way, they meet a sorcerer, Neve, and together venture to Avalon, a world steeped in death and decay. Tasmin faces dark secrets and must reveal her own to protect those she loves and escape the shadows of death.

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken is the perfect blend of mystery, a hint of horror, and a touch of romance that kept me turning the pages. I loved the intriguing language and plot; the twists and characters kept me engaged. The story starts fast, and I had to push through, but I'm glad I did because from the middle to the end—especially the end—it got so good I bookmarked pages to revisit because I loved them.

This book put me through a whirlpool of emotions--made me scream and cry--which made this book absolutely superb. I CAN NOT WAIT to read the second book. Tasmin is brave, strong, and stubborn. Her love for her brother just seemed more unconditional every step of the way. Emrys is like a two-sided, charming character that I honestly didn't like at the beginning, but he DEFINITELY grew on me (I might have gotten a little attached).

*SPOILER ALERT* These two characters make the enemies to lovers theme so electrifying and thrilling. Cabell really disappointed me, and I really didn't expect things to happen the way they did. And the twists were NOT obvious, The amount of cliffhangers that made me keep reading was INSANE.

In the past, I've had a hard time finding books that actually keep me engaged, and that actually match my tempo, and this book is literally just the best book.

PS- PLEASE DONT STOP READING…IT GETS BETTER- TRUST.

*MAIN COMPONENTS OF THE BOOK*

Fantasy

Adventure

Horror (if you haven't read yet...brace yourself. Words go a long way.)

Romance (made me giggle and squeal, SO CUTE)

Betrayal (made me cry and cover my mouth for a whole segment..I WAS SPEECHLESS)

Twists and turns (probably the main reason I kept reading)

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books I Read in 2025

2026-01-06T12:07:00.000-08:00

by Enola

For all the book-lovers out there, having a favorite read of the year is a common thing. There is always one book that truly stands out to each reader. One that makes us happy. One where we love the characters. One that excites us and keeps us on the edge of our seats. One we can’t stop thinking about. But unfortunately, the biggest problem is when somebody asks “What’s the top book you read this year?” We usually reply, “I have multiple” or our brains go blank and we can’t decide which is our favorite. It’s hard! There are a lot of great books out there. So, I’m putting together my top ten best books of 2025.

1. Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

Starting off with an absolute fantasy-favorite and bestselling book, I absolutely loved Once Upon a Broken Heart. I’d recommend it to anyone. The book was magical and romantic with a fairytale-like setting and such interesting, complex characters. The story follows Evangeline Fox, who makes a dangerous deal with the notorious Prince of Hearts in order to stop the man she loves from marrying her stepsister. This then leads to a dangerous journey of love, curses, and magic. If you love romantasy that will whisk you away into a whole new world that you can get lost in, this is definitely the book for you.

2. Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Yet another Stephanie Garber book made it onto my list and for a good reason. This romantasy is whimsical and mysterious; you can’t predict a thing! The book follows protagonist Scarlett Dragna as she partakes in the magical and mysterious performance known as Caraval and explores the Isla De Suenos--the island on which it takes place--with a mysterious young man named Julian Santos, as they quickly try to win this year’s game. With action, mystery, old secrets, and whimsy, this is the perfect book for all fantasy (and romance) fans. I loved it and flew through this book. The plot twists were absolutely mind-blowing (don’t worry, no spoilers here). I definitely recommend it.

3. Glorious Rivals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

This outstanding second book in The Grandest Game trilogy, the popular TheInheritance Games spinoff, is a beautiful combination of romance and mystery. It is definitely a book that will blow your mind. Full of twists and turns, danger and romance, this book was very fun. It was so interesting! The book is told through the perspectives of Lyra Kane, Gigi Grayson, and Rohan as they partake in the annual Grandest Game and solve all the puzzles that come along with it. A must-read for mystery fans! I absolutely loved it.

4. Mint To Be by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc

Tis the season! Would this really be a “Top Ten Best Books I Read in 2025” without at least one Christmas rom-com? I don’t think so. Mint To Be follows two leads, Emma and Aidan, two childhood best friends whose relationship is strained when Emma leaves for boarding school without saying goodbye, only to return for the holidays with her boyfriend. Emma’s return forces her and Aidan to reconnect. The book is a small-town holiday romance and perfect for readers looking for a short read to get them into the Christmas spirit. I definitely enjoyed it this holiday season.

5. ASAP by Axie Oh

Romance readers, K-pop fans, and K-drama fans, you need to read this book…ASAP! ASAP by Axie Oh is a very adorable K-pop romance about Sori, a rich trainee and the daughter of a K-pop company owner, as she deals with family expectations, duty, the industry, and returning feelings for her ex-boyfriend, K-pop star Nathaniel. It was very wholesome, light-hearted, and entertaining. I really liked it. It was a great short and sweet novel.

6. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

When I tell you this book was AMAZING, I truly mean it. The Inheritance Games series is my second favorite series of all time. I will forever recommend this to everyone and anyone, whether you are a fantasy, romance, sci-fi, dystopia, or mystery reader, though keep in mind this book is mystery with a sprinkle of romance. This mystery follows a teenage girl named Avery Grambs, who randomly inherits billions from a stranger, Tobias Hawthorne, as she tries to figure out the mystery of why she of all people was chosen to inherit everything. The book was super interesting and complex, it will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat! This was a book I could not put down. The whole series was amazing (The Inheritance Games, The Hawthorne Legacy, The Final Gambit, The Brothers Hawthorne, Games Untold, and The Grandest Game Trilogy) but I chose to talk about only a few of the books so I could make room for other amazing books.

7. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

Yet another book from Axie Oh made it onto this list. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is not a book to miss! Blending fantasy, Korean mythology, and romance, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is an interesting and fantastical retelling of The Tale of Shim Cheong, a classic Korean folktale. The story follows Mina, a girl who (in this version of the story) sacrifices herself instead of Shim Cheong, in order to save her older brother, Joon, and his love, Shim Cheong, from the wrath of the Sea God. The story then follows her journey through the Spirit Realm, where she meets Shin, a mysterious spirit. I loved this book especially since I am a fan of mythology. All the mythology fans, here is your sign to pick another mythology book (aka, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea).

8. The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

If you loved The Inheritance Games series and decided to start The Grandest Game trilogy, prepare yourself for a high-stakes spinoff where nothing is as it seems. With dangerous secrets, intricate puzzles, limited time, and a hidden threat, The Grandest Game is a very entertaining and action-packed story. This book is told through the perspectives of Lyra Kane, Gigi Grayson, and Rohan as they each make their own alliances and fight to win. The Grandest Game is the perfect mystery to pick up if you’re looking for unpredictable plot twists, romance, mystery, and danger. This book will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat.

9. True Beauty by Yaongyi

All right graphic novel fans, this one is for you! True Beauty is a fun and entertaining story about a girl (Jugyeong Lim), navigating high-school (and later college), beauty standards, makeup, and romance. For most of her life, Jugyeong was bullied and laughed at for her looks, but soon, she learns makeup and is able to use it to make herself beautiful. She changes her style, face, and likes just to be liked, and Jugyeong becomes a popular girl at her new school, Saebom High. But things get complicated when Jugyeong is caught in a love triangle with Suho Lee, the cold and smart student, and Seojun Han, the handsome bad-boy. I had so much fun with this series, even though I’ve only read volumes 1-7 so far.

10. Games Untold by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

We finally made it to the last book on this list and the spot goes to…Games Untold, yet another book in The Inheritance Games saga! This novella was very entertaining, with multiple short stories featuring characters from the world of The Inheritance Games. It featured stories focused on Nash and Libby Hawthorne, the four Hawthorne brothers, Toby Hawthorne, and more! It was a fun and short read. I definitely recommend it to fans of The Inheritance Games and mystery fans alike.

Top Ten Tuesday: Cozy/Atmospheric Reads

2025-10-21T07:31:00.000-07:00

by Victoria J.

Better Than the Movies - Lynn Painter

It’s charming, funny, and filled with all the warmth of a feel-good movie night. The cozy vibe comes from the blend of humor, nostalgia, and the gentle thrill of discovering love right where you are.

Falling Like Leaves - Misty Wilson

When Ellis moves back to her small hometown just in time for fall, she reconnects with her first love and the memories she left behind. Between pumpkin patches, golden leaves, and second chances, she starts to see her life in a new light. Cozy because it captures the beauty of change and the comfort of coming home.

Far From the Tree - Robin Benway

Three siblings, separated by adoption, find each other and slowly learn what family truly means. The story is tender, emotional, and full of empathy. It’s cozy because it centers on healing and connection, proof that love can be built, chosen, and found again.

The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins’s adventure begins quietly in a hole in the ground, and turns into an unforgettable journey through mountains, forests, and dragons’ lairs. Yet beneath the danger, it’s a tale about courage, comfort, and finding joy in simple things like home-cooked meals and friendship. The cozy magic of The Hobbit is in that even the wildest journey always leads back to warmth and hearth.

Howl's Moving Castle - Diana Wynne Jones

A whimsical tale where magic, humor, and heart meet. Sophie, a hat maker cursed into an old woman, ends up working for the mysterious wizard Howl in his walking castle. Between enchanted doors, talking fires, and floating landscapes, the story glows with warmth and wonder. Its cozy charm lies in the way the everyday and the magical blend so effortlessly, it feels like stepping into a fairytale.

Jellicoe Road - Melina Marchetta

At a quiet boarding school surrounded by forests, Taylor tries to uncover the mystery of her past while navigating fragile friendships and rivalries. The story moves gently between loss and love, building a world that feels both haunting and comforting. Its cozy heart beats in the way it captures connection, like those small, tender moments of being seen, even in the middle of chaos.

The Rest of the Story - Sarah Dessen

When Emma spends a summer with the side of her family she barely knows, she uncovers family secrets, finds new friendships, and learns who she really is. Set on a sunny lakeside town full of soft waves and second chances, the book feels like a slow golden afternoon. It’s cozy in the way it explores belonging and connection, like the kind of story that makes you breathe a little deeper.

Second Chance Summer - Morgan Matson

When Taylor’s family returns to their old lake house for one last summer together, she must face the past, reconnect with old friends, and rediscover what truly matters. Set under golden sunsets and quiet evenings by the water, this book feels deeply human and heartfelt. Cozy in its emotions and setting.

Sorcery of Thorns - Margaret Rogerson

In a world where enchanted books can come alive, Elisabeth is a library apprentice who must team up with a sorcerer to stop dark magic from spreading. The story is full of dusty libraries, sentient grimoires, and quiet bravery. Cozy because it celebrates everything book lovers adore, curiosity, wonder, and the comfort of finding magic tucked between pages.

Wintersong - S. Jae-Jones

Deep in the winter woods, a girl named Liesl is drawn into the underground world of the mysterious Goblin King. It’s lush, romantic, and filled with music that feels both haunting and warm. The coziness here comes from the contrast, the beauty of firelight against snow, love blooming in cold places, and the warmth of creativity itself.

Page to Post: We'll Fly Away by Bryan Bliss

2025-10-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking for your next great read or just want to see if our choice was worth it, stick around. Let’s dive into the world of stories, one shelf and one book at a time.

Title: We'll Fly Away
Edited by: Bryan B.
Chosen by: Christopher S.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

Coming of age

Why I picked it:

I liked the paper airplanes on the cover, and it looked the most interesting out of all the books I could have chosen from in the last Teen Book Guild meeting (not that I remember them now). Also, when we were playing the Bring Your Own Book game I saw a scene (no spoilers) that was very interesting and I wanted context.

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

A story about two boys who dream of leaving their small town behind, only needing to bring each other and leaving behind promiscuous mothers and deadbeat dads. We'll Fly Away shows that people are more than just their actions and will keep you flipping the pages until the end.

Swoon Factor:

4 - "Major butterflies"
Romance takes center stage with noticeable chemistry, tender exchanges, and moments that leave you smiling and swooning.

Rating my choice:

4 - "I'm hooked!"
You can’t put it down. The book is exciting, emotional, or meaningful, and you’re fully invested in what happens next.

My take on this book:

I really like it. I love how Luke and Toby interact and and was invested in all of their actions. I think it was a bit hypocritical with some parts of its theme, but the message does get through. That's actually the only bad thing I can think of about the book, I really like it overall.

Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, Cynthia Leitich Smith (editor)

2025-09-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

Reviewed by Christopher S.
Grade 12

Written by an all-star cast of articulate Indigenous American authors, Legendary Flatbread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories is a collection of short stories written by this line up and compiled into one book. Each story features an Indigenous American teen that doesn't seem to fit in completely until they encounter the mystifying drive-in run by the mysterious Sandy June.

While the characters, stories, and inner conflicts are nifty, they do get bland after a while. Every story is very similar, and they usually end in the same way. A lot of the stories are similar to a shower-thought that was put on paper soon afterwards. However, that is not enough reason to not give this book a chance. It is fun to explore Legendary Frybread Drive-In story by story and the authors manage to make each character different despite the repetitiveness of the plots. It is jam packed with Native American cultural references that sadly go over my head. Some stories even have unique formats that reflect the characters such as chat logs or a poem.

This book is meant for people that don’t feel like they exactly belong, or want some wholesome stories to cheer them up. If you don’t like shortform stories or just want a book with less of a straightforward plot, you should probably keep looking. As for me, I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

*coming soon to WPL!

Page to Post: Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda

2025-09-08T12:06:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking for your next great read or just want to see if our choice was worth it, stick around. Let’s dive into the world of stories, one shelf and one book at a time.

Title: Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda
Edited by: Jesse J. Holland
Chosen by: Andres J.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

Science fiction

Why I picked it:

Because I liked the movie

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

This book is based on multiple stories written by a lot of authors, and focuses on T'Challa, Shuri and the Dora Milaje. T'Challa, who is the Black Panther, struggles with leadership problems in Wakanda because he is the king. Shuri, T'Challa's sister, is a scientist and an inventor and helped Wakanda in her own sector. The Dora Milaje are the female warriors that represent Wakanda's culture and also experience trouble in their training and fighting for their country and each of these stories has a unique perspective to look at.

Swoon Factor:

1 - "Totally platonic"
No romance whatsoever—just good vibes, friendships, or action-packed storylines. Romance isn’t even on the radar.

Rating my choice:

5 - "Obsessed!"
This book is EVERYTHING. It’s your new favorite, you’re gushing about it to everyone, and you might even reread it someday!

My take on this book:

I found it pretty interesting. I really liked how it makes you consider different perspectives and see more deeply how other people felt and the struggles they faced. It’s fascinating how this book is composed.

Page to Plate: Hack Your Cupboard

2025-08-28T06:17:00.000-07:00

Grab a fork—and a library card—and dig in!

Title: Hack Your Cupboard: Make Great Food with What You've Got
by Alyssa Wiegand & Carla Carreon

Chosen by: Brooke K.

Why I picked it:

I thought that it would be interesting to learn new recipes based on food that I already have instead of having to go buy special food for the recipes.

What's inside?

This book has a collection of recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and snacks. It has step-by-step instructions as well as measurements for the ingredients.

What recipe(s) did you try?

Chicken Salad, Roasted Asparagus, Chili

How easy were the recipes to follow?

Did the recipes turn out as expected?

Yes

Would you recommend this cookbook to other teens?

Yes

Additional thoughts or fun stories from your cooking experience?

The food tasted very good!

Top Ten Tuesday: Non-Bookish Freebie Topic - TOP TEN ICE CREAM FLAVORS

2025-08-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

by Brooke K.
Grade 12

For the top ten list of my choice, I decided to go with ice cream. Everyone loves ice cream, so I figured it would be fun to rank the flavors and explain why people love them.

1. Mint Chocolate Chip - the perfect combination of a cool flavor with the sweet chocolate
2. Birthday cake- The sprinkles are the reason
3. Cookie dough- The chewy texture of cookie dough chunks
4. Cookies and Cream- I love Oreos
5. Mango - Not too sweet but sweet enough

6. Vanilla - the best staple flavor
7. Cookie Monster - A cookie lover’s dream
8. Rocky road- A mix of all the delicious chocolate pieces
9. Strawberry - refreshing and classic
10. Chocolate - pairs well with all toppings

I hope you enjoyed my list of the best ice cream flavors, and I encourage you to try out a new flavor the next time you are at an ice cream shop.

A big scoop of credit to the talented bloggers behind these photos! Each flavor listed links to their recipe — click through to explore their delicious creations.

5 Questions With...Rex Ogle!

2025-08-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

Photo provided courtesy of Rex Ogle

Written by Ava M.
Grade 8

Welcome back to a new round of 5 Questions With, where members of the Teen Book Guild have the chance to ask five questions of a favorite author. Recently, I had one amazing opportunity to connect with Rex Ogle, author of Road Home, a memoir, When We Ride, a YA novel written in verse and many more! He writes many different types of books such as graphic novels, memoirs, books in verse and of course YA!

1. When you first decided to pursue a writing career, what was the most difficult thing to overcome?

REX: The amount of people saying "NO" that I wasn't prepared for. And actually, there were a lot less "NO's" than just agents and editors never replying. Or even replying and then ghosting me. But now I believe that is par for the course when choosing artistic endeavors. It's so hard to break in, but once you have one, it's easier to get another and another and so on. But that first one? That's the hardest. Though it took me a long time to realize I shouldn't think of a "NO" as defeat but instead as a badge of honor because I put myself out there. And if you never take a swing, you're never gonna hit the ball.

2. When creating the characters of Diego and Lawson, were any of the character elements based on people or events from your own life?

REX: I'd say the book is about 70% based on true life events. My senior year, my best friend was in fact a drug dealer, and there were times when i drove him to drug deals and did my homework in the car. They say "write what you know". I always found that difficult when i wrote fantasy and sci-fi and horror, but for this book it came quite naturally.

3. If someone reads your novel When We Ride, what message would you want them to take away after reading it?

REX: My main focus is that they realize kids who do bad things aren't bad people. Teen drug dealers aren't failing society. Society is failing them. If they hadn't been put in a situation where they have to help their parents pay bills or provide food, then they wouldn't be doing something dangerous to earn money. Sometimes good kids do bad things for good reasons. We shouldn't look down on them.

4. Are there any details in the novel that a reader might overlook but that play a crucial role in the plot's development?

REX: I can't think of any. Writing in verse, there's so little to read, which means the story itself is delivered in a very concentrated format. There are fewer words, so each one means so much more.

5. This book is told mostly from Diego’s perspective, with Lawson’s perspective appearing at the very end. If you could write from another character’s perspective, whose would it be?

REX: Every character in everyone of my books has a larger story. But I always choose who I think would be best to tell the story. In this situation, it has to be Diego. If it was told from anyone else's perspective the story would be completely different. If I had to choose one though, it would be Lawson. It would be intersting to see his perspective. But I always think it's wonderful to see circumstances through different eyes. It helps all of us develop empathy that is much-needed in our world, especially now.

A huge thank you is in order to Rex Ogle! We highly appreciate all of your considerate responses.

You can check out When We Ride and more of Rex's work at the Winter Park Library!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 favorite fantasy-themed books that I recommend to those wanting to get into the genre

2025-08-05T18:53:00.000-07:00

by Abby A.

I haven't been in a reading mood recently, but I always find myself listening to audiobooks when in doubt. Here's ten romantasy books I recommend to those wanting to get into the genre.

1. The Wicked King - I rate this 10/10 because it introduced me to the Cruel Prince series and the author, Holly Black, who is now one of my favorites.

2. Fortune's Kiss - 10/10 once again because it gives us different points of view with the two main characters, plus the minute I picked up the book, I couldn't put it down.

3. Sing Me to Sleep - 9/10. It not only has a black and brown cast of characters, but also pictures the hardship of doing anything to protect family, even if that means keeping the biggest secret to do so.

4. A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic - 9.7/10. As a human in a fae world, just because you don't have what they have doesn't mean you can't do what they can do.

5. A Dawn of Onyx - 9.5/10. I feel like this book reminds me of when darkness meets the light, plus yet another protagonist does.

6. One Dark Window - 8.6/10. What could a few Providence Cards do, especially when you have someone, a monster trapped inside your mind?

7.Faeries Never Lie:Tales to Revel In - 8/10. I really like this book because it has not just different stories, but different authors.

8. The Otherwhere Post - 7/10. Trying to hide and eventually uncovering her father's past might just bring trouble, but what if he was innocent all this time?

9. Little Thieves - 7.5/10. How does one live a double life as a jewel thief and the stolen identity of the princess while trying their best to break a curse?

10.Our Vengeful Souls - 8/10. A brave female protagonist exiled from her home soon gets a place in the army for her abilities to wield a weapon, yet she hides a secret.

Page to Post: No Accident by Laura Bates

2025-07-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

In the Page to Post series, the Teen Book Guild spotlights the books that caught our attention after scoping out an entire shelf of titles in the Winter Park Library. From that first spark of interest to how we really felt after reading, you’ll get our honest take—no sugarcoating, just real talk from teens who love books (or sometimes don’t!).
If you’re looking for your next great read or just want to see if our choice was worth it, stick around. Let’s dive into the world of stories, one shelf and one book at a time.

Title: No Accident
Author: Laura Bates
Chosen by: Andres J.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

Suspense

Why I picked it:

Because the short description on the back caught my attention

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

Seven teens--3 basketball players and 4 cheerleaders--are returning home after a tournament. In the Gulf of Mexico their plane starts to have some issues, starts to lose some parts, and the plane crashes. Everyone surprisingly survived, and now they are alone on a desert island with limited supplies. Suspicious accidents like shark attacks start to occur. The few supplies that they had are missing. There are traps in ways that could be dangerous for them, and cheerleader Hailey is sure that there's someone sabotaging them.

Swoon Factor:

1 - "Totally Platonic"

No romance whatsoever—just good vibes, friendships, or action-packed storylines. Romance isn’t even on the radar.

Rating my choice:

4: "I’m Hooked!"

You can’t put it down. The book is exciting, emotional, or meaningful, and you’re fully invested in what happens next.

My take on this book:

Pretty decent. I liked reading it. It's not one of my favorites, but it still gave curiosity and suspense vibes.

Page to Post: The Finisher by David Baldacci

2025-06-26T06:51:00.000-07:00

Title: The Finisher
Author: David Baldacci
Chosen by: Andres J.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

Fantasy

Why I picked it:

Because the description of the book caught my attention

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

This story follows Vega Jane who lives in Wormwood, a village that no one has ever left before because of the Quag, a dangerous forest filled with dangerous creatures. No one is allowed to go into the Quag; however an incident occurs involving Vega’s mentor, who leaves her a mysterious message, making Vega question about the place where she is living. She starts to feel curious about what could be behind the Quag. What secrets does it hide and does she want to risk her life to answer those questions or stay safe and live without knowing what’s beyond?

Swoon Factor:

1 - "Totally Platonic"

No romance whatsoever—just good vibes, friendships, or action-packed storylines. Romance isn’t even on the radar.

Rating my choice:

4: "I’m Hooked!"

You can’t put it down. The book is exciting, emotional, or meaningful, and you’re fully invested in what happens next.

My take on this book:

It was not bad. It made me feel quite intrigued and curious.

Page to Post: The Blood Years by Elana K. Arnold

2025-06-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking for your next great read or just want to see if our choice was worth it, stick around. Let’s dive into the world of stories, one shelf and one book at a time.

Title: The Blood Years
Author: Elana K. Arnold
Chosen by: Andres J.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

Historical Fiction

Why I picked it:

I read the description and called my attention that this story was based of Elana's grandmother.

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

The story focuses on 13-year-old Frerieke and her older sister Astra and the Jewish peoples experience in Czernowitz, Romania during World War 2. They werechased by the Soviet Union and also the Nazis. They lost their jobs, their home, businesses, and safety and then were sent to places like Trasnistria, a region where thousands of Jews were sent to die. In the story Frerieke and Astra are struggle to survive and experience traumas and abuse.

Swoon Factor:

2 - "Slight spark"
There's a hint of something, maybe a crush or a shy glance. The romance is subtle and might be more about potential than actual sparks.

Rating my choice:

5 - "Obsessed!"
This book is EVERYTHING. It’s your new favorite, you’re gushing about it to everyone, and you might even reread it someday!

My take on this book:

I really liked it because when a story based on a true experience makes it even more realistic and interesting, and it keeps me more engaged into the story. I kind of understand what the person experienced and how the person felt about it. It's makes me feel like I was experiencing it because it's detailed and focused on the story.

Page to Plate: The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook

2025-04-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

Grab a fork—and a library card—and dig in!

Title: The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook

Chosen by: Holly K.

Why I picked it:

I picked this book because I like the recipes that it has, plus I already owned it.

What's inside?

This book has a collection of recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and snacks. It has step-by-step instructions as well as measurements for the ingredients.

What recipe(s) did you try?

Cheesy, Chivy Scrambled Eggs

How easy were the recipes to follow?

Did the recipes turn out as expected?

Yes

Would you recommend this cookbook to other teens?

Yes

Additional thoughts or fun stories from your cooking experience?

The recipe is easy to follow, and it contains simple household ingredients.

Page to Post: The Words in My Hands by Asphyxia

2025-04-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking for your next great read or just want to see if our choice was worth it, stick around. Let’s dive into the world of stories, one shelf and one book at a time.

Title: The Words in My Hands
Author: Asphyxia
Chosen by: Jaclyn M.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

Dystopian

Why I picked it:

The back cover looked super interesting and the cover art was gorgeous.

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

Piper lives in a world where real food is rumored to be poisonous. Piper seems to be a normal girl following the rules. The catch? She's Deaf. When she meets Marley, a CODA (Child of Deaf Parents), Piper learns all is not what it seems. There may be more to the world than meets the eye.

Swoon Factor:

5 - "Ultimate Swoon"
The full romance package! Intense feelings, undeniable connection, and scenes so dreamy they might make you gasp or clutch the book to your chest.

Rating my choice:

5 - "Obsessed!"
This book is EVERYTHING. It’s your new favorite, you’re gushing about it to everyone, and you might even reread it someday!

My take on this book:

This book shows so much on how disabilities can 't limit you and how you gotta stand up for what you believe. It gives you a better realization of how some people live.

Page to Plate: Where Books Feed the Soul and the Stomach

2025-04-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

Grab a fork—and a library card—and dig in!

Title: The Quick and Easy College Cookbook: 300 Healthy, Low-Cost Meals that Fit Your Budget and Schedule

Chosen by: Brooke K.

Why I picked it:

Since I am going to be a senior next year, I thought it would be useful to start practicing my cooking skills.

What's inside?

It has tons of recipes ranging from full meals to small snacks. The book focuses on simple recipes that do not take a very long time to make.

What recipe(s) did you try?

Spring rolls, chocolate chip cookies, and fresh fruit and yogurt.

How easy were the recipes to follow?

Did the recipes turn out as expected?

Yes

Would you recommend this cookbook to other teens?

Yes

The Florida Teens Read Challenge

2025-04-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

Florida Teen’s Read is "a list of fifteen titles that have been chosen by a committee of fourteen school librarians specifically to engage high school students in reading and reflect their interests as well as represent a variety of genres, formats, reading levels, viewpoints, and ethnic and cultural perspectives." Teens spend the year exploring the titles and voting on their favorites. Before it is announced who wins for the 2024-25 school year, here's our take on some of the books from the list. What was YOUR favorite?

Accountable: the True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives it Changed by Dashka Slater

Accountable is a true story about how someone's actions can affect the rest of their life. She focuses on the emotions of the individuals affected from the offensive posts on a private Instagram account. I enjoyed reading this book since it reminded me that everything posted on the online can be shared. The theme of justice and regret are prominent in the book. I would recommend to someone looking to read a true story that showcases important lessons about technology. -read by Brooke

Breathe and Count Back From Ten by Natalia Sylvester

Breathe and Count Back From Ten had potential written on its tombstone. I truly wanted to enjoy this novel, as I believe it brought multiple relevant topics to the table; however, the topics it engages with are never fully fleshed out and unfortunately did reach a true resolution. In this story, we encounter Verónica, a Peruvian-American girl who has both a disability (hip dysplasia) and big dreams. The summer before her senior year, she obtains a job at the Mermaid Cove, an attraction in her Florida hometown. The novel touched on cultural differences, familial strife, and life with a disability. All of these subjects have so much value, especially in our current society. With that being said, I honestly found Verónica to be very unlikable and ungrateful to her parents. Obviously, there is a cultural difference and age factor at play in that relationship, but still, I would’ve enjoyed it more if there had been more empathy for her parents. Overall, even though it touched on interesting topics, I definitely think it could’ve been better executed. -read by Anna

The Do-Over by Lynne Painter

The Do-Over focuses on main character, Emilie, when Valentine’s Day starts to repeat over and over again. Through her experiences, she starts to see the world from a new perspective. I absolutely loved reading this book. It was an adorable story that was very entertaining. - read by Brooke

Midnight at the Houdini by Delilah S. Dawson

Midnight at the Houdini is about Anna, the daughter of a rich Las Vegas hotel owner. She goes to one of her father’s hotels after a tornado makes driving home unsafe. She becomes stuck in the hotel and must figure out how to escape before it is too late. I liked the unique plot of this book and would definitely recommend it to readers who like magic. -read by Brooke

Queen Bee by Amalie Howard

Queen Bee is a book with a very interesting concept. The story follows Ela Dalvi on her quest for revenge. Ela wants to get revenge on her childhood best friend Poppy, who killed their relationship over a boy. Ela wants to infiltrate the elite society of London and get even with Poppy. But when a familiar face from her past appears, she questions whether revenge is the answer. I really liked this book. The characters were interesting, and I liked reading about Ela’s plans. It really felt like I was part of the story. The only problem that I had with this book was that the constant back-and-forth time switching made it difficult to keep track of the characters and the current timeline. -ready by Holly

Remember Me Gone by Stacy Stokes

Remember Me Gone is centered on the life of Lucy who lives in a small Texan town. Her family has a business that allows people to erase their bad memories and once she starts to learn more about it, she decides to figure out what memories she is missing. I enjoyed reading this book but at some points, it was hard to understand. -read by Brooke

Seven Percent of Ro Devereaux by Ellen O'Clover

I was massively excited to read Ellen O’Clover’s Seven Percent of Ro Devereux. It sat perfectly on the gray shelf, playing the part of my next good read excellently. I genuinely loved the premise of this YA novel. It was original and believable. Ro Devereux is a fun, intelligent STEM girlie whose life explodes with the creation of her app MASH (Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House), which can predict its users’ futures to a 93% accuracy. Ultimately, I badly wanted to like this book and was greatly disappointed. Ro (and other characters in the novel) took the app’s predictions way too seriously, and Ro’s best friend ended up being the only main character who truly had common sense. Ultimately, I badly wanted to like this book and was greatly disappointed. -read by Anna

You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight is an all right book. This book is set at a summer camp where guests pay to experience living in a slasher film. Charity, the main character, plays the role of “Final Girl”. Her life is going great at the camp: business is rolling in and she’s found a group of friends. But it all changes when the danger suddenly becomes more real than she could imagine. I liked the concept and writing of the story (and the queer rep!), but there was one part I couldn’t get over. I didn’t like how there was a cult featured in the book. I felt that the story should’ve had a warning that there was a prominent focus on a cult. -read by Holly

TEEN BOOK GUILD

Page to Plate: The Unofficial Studio Ghibli Cookbook

Title: The Unofficial Studio Ghibli Cookbookby Jessica Yun

Chosen by: Abby A.

Summary

Why I picked it:

What's inside?

What recipe(s) did you try?

How easy were the recipes to follow?

Did the recipes turn out as expected?

Would you recommend this cookbook to other teens?

Additional thoughts or fun stories from your cooking experience?

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors You Wish Were Still Writing Today

Top Ten Tuesday: April Showers

Top Ten Tuesday: Buzzwords or Phrases That Make Me Want to Read (or Avoid) a Book

No More Quiet Girls: Teen Reads for Women's History Month

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Spring 2026 To-Read List

5 Questions with...Axie Oh!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Romance Books I Look Forward To Reading This Year

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books I Read in 2025

Top Ten Tuesday: Cozy/Atmospheric Reads

Page to Post: We'll Fly Away by Bryan Bliss

Title: We'll Fly AwayEdited by: Bryan B.Chosen by: Christopher S.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

Why I picked it:

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

Swoon Factor:

Rating my choice:

My take on this book:

Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, Cynthia Leitich Smith (editor)

Page to Post: Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda

Title: Black Panther: Tales of WakandaEdited by: Jesse J. HollandChosen by: Andres J.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

Why I picked it:

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

Swoon Factor:

Rating my choice:

My take on this book:

Page to Plate: Hack Your Cupboard

Title: Hack Your Cupboard: Make Great Food with What You've Gotby Alyssa Wiegand & Carla Carreon

Chosen by: Brooke K.

Why I picked it:

What's inside?

What recipe(s) did you try?

How easy were the recipes to follow?

Did the recipes turn out as expected?

Would you recommend this cookbook to other teens?

Additional thoughts or fun stories from your cooking experience?

Top Ten Tuesday: Non-Bookish Freebie Topic - TOP TEN ICE CREAM FLAVORS

5 Questions With...Rex Ogle!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 favorite fantasy-themed books that I recommend to those wanting to get into the genre

Page to Post: No Accident by Laura Bates

Title: No AccidentAuthor: Laura BatesChosen by: Andres J.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

Why I picked it:

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

Swoon Factor:

Rating my choice:

My take on this book:

Page to Post: The Finisher by David Baldacci

Title: The FinisherAuthor: David BaldacciChosen by: Andres J.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

Why I picked it:

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

Swoon Factor:

Rating my choice:

My take on this book:

Page to Post: The Blood Years by Elana K. Arnold

Title: The Blood YearsAuthor: Elana K. ArnoldChosen by: Andres J.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

Why I picked it:

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

Swoon Factor:

Rating my choice:

My take on this book:

Page to Plate: The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook

Title: The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook

Chosen by: Holly K.

Why I picked it:

Title: The Unofficial Studio Ghibli Cookbook
by Jessica Yun

Title: We'll Fly Away
Edited by: Bryan B.
Chosen by: Christopher S.

Title: Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda
Edited by: Jesse J. Holland
Chosen by: Andres J.

Title: Hack Your Cupboard: Make Great Food with What You've Got
by Alyssa Wiegand & Carla Carreon

Title: No Accident
Author: Laura Bates
Chosen by: Andres J.

Title: The Finisher
Author: David Baldacci
Chosen by: Andres J.

Title: The Blood Years
Author: Elana K. Arnold
Chosen by: Andres J.

Title: The Words in My Hands
Author: Asphyxia
Chosen by: Jaclyn M.