a day in the life of a teen librarian

2011: A Year of Author Visits, Teen Participation & An Awesome Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:36:00 +0000

As a teen librarian, I am always planning things anywhere from 4-6 months in advance. This past year was no exception. There was little or no break in between programs. One flowed into the other. It's no surprise then that I ran myself into the ground, and forgot to take care of me in the process.

Luckily, this year was also the year of HELP. In a teen librarian's world, there's usually just you. That's it. A singular person as a department. I have been the one who ordered the books, planned the programs, went on outreach to high schools, planned summer reading club, sat on half a dozen committees, and...it's exhausting. But this year, I had help.

Our teen council grew exponentially through word-of-mouth and visits to high schools. I received three more applications at our Gaming Marathon on Friday night. Three in one night because a council member referred his friends. Our council is entering its 4th year, which is crazy for me. I can't believe it's been going for this long.

The first couple of years we had a steady number of teens between 5 and 10. Now we average between 18 and 25 a meeting. And they're AWESOME teens. They help setup, run the events, and clean up at the end. They plan programs from the brainstorming stage to picking out decorations to taking the photographs at the events.

These teens are the most hands-on teens I have ever had the pleasure to work with. They make my life easier, and it shows everyone else (staff, parents, other teens) that they are responsible, hard-working, and take initiative. For a solitary librarian, it's possibly the best thing.

In addition to our teen council, I turned one of our library assistants to the YA side. She graduated this past year with her MLS and wanted to gain more programming experience. With her help, we hosted 10 teen summer reading club programs at our library location. Including four events with two YA authors. It was a first for our library. We feed off of one another's enthusiasm--and have a tendency to escalate our ideas. We've already booked two for summer 2012.

So here's a breakdown of this past year's highlights:

51 Total Programs

Summer Reading Club - 4th year of separate teen club, 440 teen participants, and almost 9,900 hours read in 10 weeks

Teen Council participated in community input meeting for the new library's design. They convinced the architects to have a Teen Focus Group. The result was a complete redesign of the planned teen area--relocating it to its own larger, enclosed space. Can't wait to see it built!

2 Gaming Marathons including intro of Kinect Gaming (*down from 2010)

12 movie days including 3 marathons (Teen Tech Week: Mix & Mash, Twisted Tales, Martial Arts)

6 author events including two "teens only" parties, three evening author visits & book signings, and one Skype visit

1 annual Holiday Gift Wrapping program with greater numbers than the two previous years. Our teen council wrapped over 150 presents in 5 hours for the public. I received numerous compliments from attendees!

Woes of a Life Divided

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:22:00 +0000

For the past two years, I have been writing reviews for my library's teen review blog. I love sharing book reviews. Obviously, since I did it for two years HERE. But there's no escaping work when I'm over THERE. And I desperately need a break, a respite from work every now and then....

So I need a space of my own. I'm going to continue posting reviews over at teenscene as well as on my personal blog. I'll use this space to continue posting updates on teen programs and upcoming news in the YA world. It's a little insane to try to keep up with everything, but I'll give it a shot!

SO HEY, THANKS FOR STICKING AROUND. We'll give this one another whirl!

-Allison

My 50 Book Challenge for 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:43:00 +0000

Okay, so at the very beginning of this year I challenged myself (and my fellow nerdfighters!) to read 50 books for 2009. While this may seem like an easy task for a librarian, let me assure you that we do NOT have the luxury of reading all the time. Le sigh. With a little help from Shelfari, I've been keeping track of what I read (for the most part...), so let's see how I did. And remember I still 10 days to go!

1. Kiss of Life by Dan Waters
2. Chalice by Robin McKinley (goodness this one took forever)
3. Need by Carrie Jones
4. Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter (met her!)
5. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
6. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
7. Evermore by Alyson Noel
8. A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb
9. Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
10. FADE by Lisa McMann
11. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Darkside by Beth Fantaskey
12. Swoon by Nina Malkin
13. A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce
14. Envy by Anna Godbersen
15. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (met her too!)
16. Everyone Worth Knowing by Laura Weisberger (don't judge me--I was on vacation)
17. Size 14 is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot (more vacation reading)
18. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
19. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
20. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich (beach reading)
21. Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
22. Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti
23. Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Elizabeth M. Harbinson
24. Secrets of a Shoe Addict by Elizabeth M. Harbinson
25. Being Nikki by Meg Cabot
26. Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
27. Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
28. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (THE BEST!)
29. Diary of a Witness by Catherine Ryan Hyde
30. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica George Day
31. Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd
32. Wicked by Sara Shepard
33. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
34. Skinned by Robin Wasserman
35. Crashed by Robin Wasserman
36. Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
37. Vacations from Hell anthology
38. Killer by Sara Shepard
39. The Treasure Map of Boys of e. lockhart
40. Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
41. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
42. The Immortal Realm by Frewin Jones
43. Sacred Scars by Kathleen Duey
44. Are These My Basoomas I See Before Me? by Louise Rennison
45. Fire by Kristin Cashore
46. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (yes, I reread it)
47. Splendor by Anna Godbersen (still reading)
48. The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (still reading)
49. The Maze Runner by James Dashner (just started)
50. Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves (a copy is being brought to me tomorrow!)

And if I can finish all those (assuming I didn't leave any off the list), I will have exactly 50 books! I'll give an update along with my Top Ten Books of 2009 on January 1st. So stay tuned :-) I just received a whole new box of ARCs to rifle thru and read, so I'll have plenty of reviews for the New Year & my next challenge.

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:35:00 +0000

Summary:
The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with new-found confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

Review:
From the description, I thought this would be another Twilight wannabe, but Fantaskey as put her own spin on the vampire trend. In the middle of rural Pennsylvania, Jessica lives with her adoptive parents and is starting out her senior year. The last thing she suspected was for her past to track her down.

Lucius shows up determined to fulfill the pact his and Jessica's real parents signed--their betrothal to one another. But first he has to convince Jessica that vampires are more than just a myth--that they are real. As much as Jessica tries to deny her birthright and her fanged fiancee, she slowly discovers that there is no avoiding the inevitable. But is it too late? Has she lost Lucius to the dark side and the school's head cheerleader?

Jessica remains determined to win him back and stop their families' clans from going to war. She ditches her role as an average high school student and embraces her position as a vampire princess. Overall, this was a nice twist on the vampire legend. Fantaskey dismisses many of the stereotypes associated with the dark ones and develops her own brand of vampire. She also shows it's not easy being a vampire--especially for a teenager.

Reading Rating:
This is another quick-paced book. If you enjoyed Twilight or like paranormal romance, you will devour this one in a couple of hours.

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:40:00 +0000

Summary:
Someone was looking at me, a disturbing sensation if you’re dead. Though I could not feel paper between my fingers, smell ink, or taste the tip of a pencil, I could see and hear the world with all the clarity of the Living. They, on the other hand, did not see me as a shadow or a floating vapor. To the Quick, I was empty air.

Or so I thought.

In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them. For the first time in 130 years, human eyes are looking at her. They belong to a boy, a boy who has not seemed remarkable until now. And Helen–terrified, but intrigued–is drawn to him. The fact that he is in a body and she is not presents this unlikely couple with their first challenge. But as the lovers struggle to find a way to be together, they begin to discover the secrets of their former lives and of the young people they come to possess.

Review:
Whitcomb shifts the focus to the more paranormal aspects of her characters' story. Told from the perspective of a ghost, Helen's distinct voice is refreshing and intriguing. She is forced to remain tied to a human host following them throughout their lives. Only in their deaths can she move on to another host.

Even though the humans are a large part of her existence, Helen goes unnoticed. She reads books over their shoulders, whispers suggestions as they dream, and haunts their daily lives. Until one day after 130 lonely years, Helen can feel the eyes of a boy on her. Both terrified and excited, she discovers the true nature of this once unremarkable teenager. Everything changes for Helen and challenges everything she thought she knew about life, death, and most of all love.

Reading Rating:
Once again, I just flew this one. It was a powerful story, and I never knew where it would take me next. Just one note, I would recommend this for more mature readers due to sexual content. If you enjoy paranormal romance, be on the lookout for her newest novel, The Fetch.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:53:00 +0000

A Story of a Teenager’s Suicide Quietly Becomes a Best Seller

By Motoko Rich

Among the vampires, dragons and dystopian futuristic societies that dominate young adult reading lists, a debut novel about teenage suicide has become a stealthy hit with surprising staying power.

“Thirteen Reasons Why,” by Jay Asher, is made up of the transcripts of audiotapes that 16-year-old Hannah Baker recorded before committing suicide, interspersed with the reactions of a high school classmate who listens to them. Each tape reveals an anecdote about another classmate whose actions the girl blames for her death.

Since it was first published in October 2007 by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Group U.S.A., the novel has sold 158,000 copies, according to Nielsen BookScan, which tracks about 70 percent of retail sales. Unlike most books, which are customarily released in paperback about a year after hardcover publication, “Thirteen Reasons Why” has remained in hardcover, with word of mouth and the author’s appearances fueling sales.

“Death and dying has always been a popular theme for kids,” said Josalyn Moran, vice president for children’s books at Barnes & Noble. “Kids like to read about situations that are worse than theirs and figure out that ‘O.K., my life isn’t so bad.’ ”

The book enjoyed a short run on The New York Times’s children’s chapter books best-seller list last spring. Last fall the publisher released a revised hardcover edition that included a new Q. and A. with Mr. Asher.

Razorbill also commissioned the flagship New York office of Grey, an advertising agency, to develop a YouTube campaign featuring videos of a cassette recorder playing Hannah’s tapes, as read by the actress Olivia Thirlby, who played the title character’s best friend in “Juno.”

“Thirteen Reasons Why” re-entered the chapter-book best-seller list in November at No. 10. When next Sunday’s list is published, it will rise to No. 3.

“It was not a book where a whole house runs out and pushes like crazy, and you have to have success right away, because you spent all this money,” said Benjamin Shrank, publisher of Razorbill. The company paid Mr. Asher a low six-figure advance for two books.

With its thrillerlike pacing and scenes of sexual coercion and teenage backbiting, the novel appeals to young readers, who say the book also gives them insight into peers who might consider suicide. “I think the whole message of the book is to be careful what you do to people, because you never know what they’re going through,” said Christian Harvey, a 15-year-old sophomore at Port Charlotte High School in Port Charlotte, Fla. “You can really hurt somebody, even with the littlest thing.”

Ms. Harvey, who bought the book with a gift card last year, said she stayed up until 2 a.m. to finish it and immediately recommended it to friends. The school’s book group read the novel in October, and when Mr. Asher visited Port Charlotte in February, about 35 students bought a copy.

“Thirteen Reasons Why” was partly inspired by a relative of Mr. Asher’s who had tried to commit suicide. The idea of using tape recordings, he said, came from a visit to a casino in Las Vegas, where Mr. Asher used a recorded audio guide on a tour of an exhibition about King Tutankhamen of Egypt.

Something about listening to a disembodied voice made Mr. Asher, now 33, think, “This would be a really cool format for a book that I had never seen.”

At the time Mr. Asher, who had dropped out of college to pursue a writing career, was trying to sell comedic picture and chapter books for younger children. Before he sold “Thirteen Reasons” to Razorbill, he said, he submitted a total of 11 manuscripts to publishers. All were rejected.

He was working as an assistant children’s librarian and as a bookseller at a local store in Sheridan, Wyo., six years ago when he started reading a lot of young adult fiction. One day, he said, the idea for “Thirteen Reasons” just hit him, and he wrote what eventually became the first 10 pages that night.

The eerie, sardonic voice of Hannah, the suicide victim, came easily. The character of Clay Jensen, the boy whose reactions to the tapes provide another thread through the novel, was based on Mr. Asher’s own high school memories.

Booksellers have embraced the novel from the beginning. “I’ve read a lot of titles that are pretty dark,” said Kris Vreeland, the children’s book buyer at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, Calif. “But not something that was specifically that kind of a format and never anything that really dealt with suicide from the perspective of the person who has committed suicide.” Ms. Vreeland said the store had sold more than 250 copies.

Mr. Asher was planning to write a lighthearted high school romance as his follow-up to “Thirteen Reasons,” but the intense feedback from readers, he said, caused him to abandon that manuscript halfway through. “I didn’t want them to be let down by my next book,” he said. Now he is working on a novel that “will go into the complications of high school relationships.”

That’s enough for fans like Gabrielle Dupuy, a 17-year-old junior at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Fla., who heard Mr. Asher speak at her school. “As soon as he told us he was working on another book,” Ms. Dupuy said, “I was like, ‘Can I preorder it now?’ ”

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Summary:
In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

Review:
Think of this book as a combination of M. Night Shyamalan's "The Village" and "I Am Legend" rolled all into one. Mary's world is one of a tiny village surround by the Forest of Hands and Teeth. All around her are the truths instilled in her by the Sisterhood and the Guardians. But what are they hiding? Is there more left of the world than Mary's tiny village? She has spent her whole life living on her mother's stories about the ocean and buildings taller than the sky.

But when the Unconsecrated turn on her village, Mary is forced to face the horrors that lie beyond the fence. Does the path lead anywhere? Or is theirs the only village left in the world? It is up to Mary to find out what the Sisterhood has been hiding from them for so long. Her only problem is that she is running out of time.

Ryan has created a dystopian society that believes they are the only humans left. This book pushes your boundaries and makes you questions the truths in your own world. It's not just another zombie book, but rather creates its own society with strict values. It continually makes you ask yourself, "What if...?"

Reading Rating:
Fast-paced read with plenty of violence and horror. There was constant action and terror, but the ending was less hopeful than I would have liked. Definitely not a happily ever after.

Evermore by Alyson Noel

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:37:00 +0000

Summary:
Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is.

Review:
Alyson Noel's first novel in a new series has shot straight to the top of the New York Times Bestsellers. In Evermore, she has crafted a unique, paranormal romance. After a car accident claims the lives of her family, Ever has to pick up her life and move to Laguna Beach with her aunt. With her busy career, Ever's aunt does not have time to grieve or notice the recent changes in her niece.

Once the popular and beautiful girl, Ever works overtime to go unnoticed. Wearing hooded sweatshirts and headphones, she tries to tune out all the thoughts of the people around her and avoids their every touch. Then she's no longer the new kid anymore. Damen is gorgeous with an aura of mystery surrounding him, but he is the only one who can silence the thoughts in Ever's head.

But who is Damen really? What does he want with Ever? There is danger around every turn, and nothing is quite what it seems. Between dealing with her little sister's lingering ghost and Damen's rollercoaster of emotions, will she ever be able to lead a normal life?

The first installment in the Immortals series will keep you tuned in throughout the story. Though there are some dated cultural references, they seem to mock pop culture more than anything. This is a solid story with a very unexpected twist. Hint: There's no vampires here.

Reading Rating:
I loved this book and refused to put it down. I will admit it was hard keeping track of what color each aura meant, but Noel provides a guide at the beginning of the book to refer back to. Highly recommended.

Press Play @ Your Library

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Celebrate Teen Tech Week throughout the entire month of March.
Press Play @ Your Library by checking out these titles to read.

YA Fiction

Audrey, Wait! - YA F BEN
Teen Idol - YA F CAB
Beige – YA F CAS
Battle of the Bands – YA F DEN
This Lullaby – YA F DES
Little Brother – YA F DOC
November Blues – YA F DRA
The Musician’s Daughter – YA F DUN
Diva – YA F FLI
Fat Kid Rules the World – YA F GOI
Lemonade Mouth – YA F HUG
Nailed – YA F JON
Born to Rock – YA F KOR
Heavy Metal and You – YA F KRO
Yellow Flag – YA F LIP
Fly On the Wall – YA F LOC
Guitar Girl – YA F MAN
Wildwood Dancing - YA F MAR

Rock Star Superstar – YA F NEL
Notes from a Midnight Driver – YA F SON
Backstage Pass – YA F TRI
Hurricane Song – YA F VOL
Beautiful City of the Dead – YA F WAT
What a Song Can Do – YA F WHA
Pay the Piper – YA F YOL

YA Paperbacks

Wild Roses – YA PBK F CAL
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist – YA PBK F COH
So Lyrical – YA PBK F COO
Just Listen – YA PBK F DES
The Principles of Love – YA PBK F FRA
Confessions of a Backup Dancer – YA PBK F SHA
Lament – YA PBK F STI
Spin It Like That – YA PBK F TAY
Gangsta Rap – YA PBK F ZEP

YA Series

Talent – YA PBK F DEA
LDB – YA F DEN
The Band – YA PBK F GAR
6X – YA PBK F MAL
Confessions of Georgia Nicholson – YA F REN

YA Non-Fiction

iPod and iTunes for Dummies – YA 006.5 BOV
Teen Angst? Naaah – YA 305.235 VIZ
Go Ask Ogre: Confessions of a Deathrock Cutter – YA 362.76092 SIA
For Those about to Rock: a Road Map to Being in a Band – YA 781.66023 BID
Punk Rock Etiquette – YA 781.66023 NIC
Teenagers Guide to the Beatles – YA 782.42166 BEA
John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth – YA 782.42166 PAR
I Was There: Gigs That Changed the World – YA 782.42166 PAY
There’s a God on the Mic – YA 782.421649 KOO

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:14:00 +0000

Summary:
In a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.

Review:
Since she was eight, Katsa has been feared. She first learned of her killing Grace when a relative made one wrong move. He was dead before Kat knew what had happened. From that moment on, the people around her have kept their distance and her uncle, the king, has used her as his enforcer. Only a few friends dare to keep her company, but none challenge her abilities.

Then when Katsa meets Prince Po, she has finally found an equal. Graced with the skill of fighting, Po seems to know her every move, every action before she makes it. Together they give each other strength and set out on a quest to find out who is responsible for kidnapping Po's grandfather. When their true Graces are revealed, Katsa and Po become a formidable force that unravel the lies that have spread across the kingdoms.

Cashore's debut novel is stunning and captivating. With adventure, suspense, and romance, this fantasy makes you believe you are a part of Katsa and Po's world. You will hang onto every word, every image. This has everything you could ask for in a novel.

Reading Rating:
I did not want to stop reading this. And yet, the closer I got to the end the longer I wanted it to be. It was wonderful! Thank goodness Cashore has two follow-up books planned.

YA Award Winners Announced

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:30:00 +0000

Today, the American Library Association announced the top books, videos, and audiobooks for young adults and teens.

The recipient of the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award goes to Laurie Halse Anderson honoring her outstanding lifetime contribution to writing for teens for Chains, Catalyst, Fever 1793, and Speak, a 2000 Printz Honor Book.

The 2009 Printz Award winner is Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. She is an Australian writer who has written two other great books, Saving Francesca & Looking for Alibrandi. We don't have Jellicoe Road yet, but no worries--it's on order!

Four Printz Honor Books also were named:
- The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II, The Kingdom on the Waves by M.T. Anderson
- The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
- Nation by Terry Pratchett
- Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

The 2009 Newbery Medal winner is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Dave McKean. Huzzah for Neil! He's having a great week between promoting his new movie, Coraline and winning :-)

Four Newbery Honor Books were named:
- The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
- The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle
- Savvy by Ingrid Law
- After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson

For a complete of all winners and honorees, check them out here.

Need by Carrie Jones

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Summary:
Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal.

Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara.

With suspense, romance, and paranormal themes, this exciting breakout novel has all the elements to keep teens rapidly turning the pages.

Review:
You will have to put your skepticism aside for this one! Sure she's the new girl in a small town and clumsy just like another very familiar character, but Jones creates a unique voice in Zara. After witnessing her step-father's death, she is sent to live with her step-grandmother in the wintry setting of Maine. She keeps any anxiety and emotions about her past at bay by reciting phobias. Each chapter starts with a new phobia, but be careful--you might find some that apply to you.

Zara immediately finds a set of friends and a place in her new school, but she also gains some enemies. A mysterious man from her past begins to appear everywhere she goes--and he knows her name. Leaving behind nothing but a sprinkling of gold dust, Zara and her new friends must learn the truth before he comes after again. And next time, he isn't leaving without her.

Stephenie Meyer and Melissa Marr fans will see elements of both writers in this story but with a new twist. There is even a clever reference to "forks" that had me chuckling. To me, the story was a happy medium between both writers with a fast pace and supernatural elements without being too overbearing.

Reading Rating:
This was a quick and easy read. I will admit that someone mentioned it was a lot like Twilight before I started reading, so I had trouble getting that idea out of my head. But once you get past the basics, this is a story full of surprises and sure to satisfy those looking for more supernatural romance and suspense.

Chalice by Robin McKinley

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:28:00 +0000

Summary:
As the newly appointed Chalice, Mirasol is the most important member of the Master’s Circle. It is her duty to bind the Circle, the land and its people together with their new Master. But the new Master of Willowlands is a Priest of Fire, only drawn back into the human world by the sudden death of his brother. No one knows if it is even possible for him to live amongst his people. Mirasol wants the Master to have his chance, but her only training is as a beekeeper. How can she help settle their demesne during these troubled times and bind it to a Priest of Fire, the touch of whose hand can burn human flesh to the bone?

Robin McKinley weaves a captivating tale that reveals the healing power of duty and honor, love and honey.

Review:
This book throws you right into the middle of things. My advice is to read the inside of the jacket cover first! I'm glad I did, or I would have been lost from the beginning. McKinley tells the story of Mirasol who has been thrust into the position as Chalice, the second highest ranking member of the Circle. Because of the sudden deaths of the previous Chalice and the Master, Mirasol has had no training, no apprenticeship. She relies on what she can find in books and mostly on her intuition.

Still the land is aching and in upheaval without a Master to guide it. When the new Master returns from the Priests of Fire, he is inhuman. His touch burns. He is frail and weak. And many doubt that he can bring them together. Only Mirasol is brave enough to speak to him, openly and honestly. Together they have to try and save their land and its people before the Overlord finds a way to take it back.

McKinley's storytelling is overly descriptive and repetitive at times. There are many places where Mirasol is referred to as Chalice rather than an individual. It can become confusing to the reader to follow the story, especially flashing from the present and the past. However, the end result of the book is a promising one. If you can stick it out, you find it amazing that McKinley can make a story about a beekeeper and her honey fascinating.

Reading Rating:
This one took quite a while for me to get into. It is very repetitive (you will get sick of reading the word Chalice!), but once you start to piece the story together it flows more smoothly. The ending made the hard work worth it, especially if you are a Robin McKinley fan.

50 Book Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Welcome to the New Year! In 2008, I participated in the 50 Book Challenge. Basically, the challenge was to read 50 books in one year OR to establish a goal for yourself. I went striving for the 50, but fell just a few short. However, I started mid-year in April, so I'm sure there's plenty of books that I read but forgot. Check out what I was reading this past year:

1. Stop in the Name of Pants! by Louise Rennison
2. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
3. Rumors by Anna Godbersen
4. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
5. Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
6. The Day I Killed James by Catherine Ryan Hyde
7. Airhead by Meg Cabot
8. Unbelievable by Sara Shepard
9. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
10. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
11. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
12. Footfree and Fancyloose by Elizabeth Craft & Sarah Fain
13. Wake by Lisa McMann
14. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
15. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
16. Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner
17. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
18. The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti
19. Before I Die by Jenny Downham
20. Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
21. Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner
22. Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk
23. Hush: an Irish Princess' Tale by Donna Jo Napoli
24. Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
25. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
26. Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer
27. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
28. Paper Towns by John Green (Advance Reading Copy)
29. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
30. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
31. Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot
32. How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls by Zoey Dean
33. Thin is the New Happy by Valerie Frankel
34. Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
35. Manic: a Memoir by Terri Cheney
36. I Know It's Over by C.K. Kelly Martin
37. How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier
38. Dear Julia by Amy Bronwen Zemser
39. Sunshine by Robin McKinley
40. Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee
41. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
42. Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier
43. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
44. Chalice by Robin McKinley
45. Wicked by Sara Shepard
46. Love is Hell (anthology)
47. how to (un)cage a girl by Francesca Lia Block

How many books did you read in 2008? And how many are you challenging yourself to read for 2009? I hope to surpass 50 books this next year! I better get busy :-)

My Teen Picks for 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:40:00 +0000

1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Paper Towns by John Green
3. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
4. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
5. Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner
6. Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier
7. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
8. Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
9. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
10. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

Here's my 10 ten picks that I read for 2008! Note that a couple of my picks actually came out in 2007, but I didn't get around to reading them until this year. I'm not saying these are the best & only books from 2008--just my personal faves. Please comment & tell me what your favorite books you read this year are!!

Twilight: the Complete Illustrated Movie Companion

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:24:00 +0000

It has finally arrived....Twilight: the Complete Illustrated Movie Companion! It has a lot of screen shots and behind the scenes info on the actors & making of the movie. If you're a Twilighter & loved the movie, this is the book for you. I just beg you please, please do not tear out pages, cut out pages, or take the book home never to return it again. Sadly, I have no money to replace our copies once they're used and abused. But for now, enjoy them while they are brand, spanking new! And best of all, there's no holds list as of right now. There's even one available. OMG!

Love is Hell Anthology

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:35:00 +0000

Summary:
Sure, love is hell. But it’s totally worth it.

In these supernatural stories by five of today's hottest writers—Melissa Marr (Wicked Lovely), Scott Westerfeld (Specials), Justine Larbalestier (Magic or Madness), Gabrielle Zevin (Elsewhere), and Laurie Faria Stolarz (Blue is for Nightmares)—love may be twisted and turned around, but it's more potent than ever on its quest to conquer all.

From two students who let the power of attraction guide them to break the hard-and-fast rules of their world to the girl who falls hard for a good-looking ghost with a score to settle, the clever, quirky characters in this exciting collection will break your heart, then leave you believing in love more than ever.

Review:
Sleeping with the Spirit
by Laurie Faria Stolarz
This was first story in the collection. Not knowing what to expect from this anthology, I felt Stolarz's ghost story was a weak beginning. It took too long to get going and rushed towards the end. Brenda is the new girl in town, but she's not the only one living in her new bedroom. The room's previous occupant has yet to move out--or rather move on. I think Stolarz had the makings of what could have been a good ghost romance, but just didn't have enough pages to flesh out her story.

Stupid Perfect World
by Scott Westerfeld
After the first disappointing story, I was afraid that I couldn't be coaxed to finish the book. But I loved Westerfeld's story! As the only male author included in the collection, he not only used his short story to create a utopian society but a solid romance. For their Scarcity class projects, Maria and Kieran learn that some things from their society's past are worth remembering. I would love to see this world turned into a book.

Thinner Than Water
by Justine Larbalestier
Larbalestier's contribution was a little hard to place. It takes place in a village steeped in traditions and supernatural beliefs. I think this one was the most gruesome and fitting of the anthology's title. She captures a world caught between modern reality and the fairy world. Her tale was the most disturbing and heartbreaking.

Fan Fictions
by Gabrielle Zevin
This story will throw you for a loop! As do Zevin's other works...However, she demonstrates what happens when fiction and love collide. This one is for all those who dream about finding "their" Edward.

Love Struck
by Melissa Marr
I expected a darker story after reading Marr's Wicked Lovely series. But she tells the story of a mythical creature that is often overlooked in fantasy--selkies. Hers is a well-spun romance that leaves the reader sighing with a happy ending.

Reading Rating:
I read this one in a couple of hours. I think having it broken down into stories made it much easier to read. You don't have to read all the stories or even read them in order. I would suggest saving "Love Struck" for last to leave you on a sweet note.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:53:00 +0000

Summary:
Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

Review:
For the author of the Gregor the Overlander series, Collins creates a dystopian society that demonstrates the lengths that Katniss will go to protect her family and to stay alive. Growing up in one of the poorest districts, Katniss is a trained hunter and a survivor. But in the Hunger Games there are no rules, except one--only one winner can leave the arena alive. In a society where reality television has become a brutal death match, the citizens of the 12 districts are forced to watch as their sons and daughters fight to their deaths, unless Katniss finds a way to changes the rules of the game. Highly recommended for readers who enjoyed Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series.

Reading Rating:
I stayed up long past my bedtime reading this one! And even tried to sneak a few peeks while working on the desk. It kept calling my name. Loved, loved, loved it :-)

Sunshine by Robin McKinley

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:29:00 +0000

Summary:
There hadn't been any trouble out at the lake for years, and Sunshine just needed a spot where she could be alone with her thoughts. Vampires never entered her mind. Until they found her.

Review:
These are not your kinder, gentler brand of vampires. McKinley has woven a dark and twisted novel. There are no barriers between the real world and the Others. Sunshine lives in a world where suckers, demons, and werewolves are commonplace. Spending her days as a baker, her life is uneventful and she appears unremarkable in every way, except for her obsession with the Others. Then one night, she seeks out a quiet place to get away.

It has been years since the Wars, but no one goes to the lake anymore. There are too many bad spots and too many unknowns, but that does not stop Sunshine. She drives to her dad’s old lake house. She never even hears them coming. When they are vampires, you never do. Now Sunshine is in a battle for her life.

McKinley’s story does not romanticize vampires. They are cruel, heartless, and ugly. Nevertheless, she has created a powerful character to carry the story. Sunshine realizes her full potential and it could very well see her to her death. Only through an alliance with a vampire named Con do they both stand a fighting chance against a common enemy.

Sunshine commands the presence of every page. Her untapped abilities and her own conflicts with allying with a vampire create a unique novel that is unlike any others.

Reading Rating:
This was an intense read, and it did take me several days to tackle. Be prepared for a dark, gritty view of vampires. Also, due to mature content, I would recommend this title for older readers. And don't expect a sequel any time soon ;-)

Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:42:00 +0000

Summary:
For Paula, accompanying her merchant father on a trading voyage to Istanbul is a dream come true. They have come to this city of trade on a special mission to purchase a most rare artifact—a gift from the ancient goddess, Cybele, to her followers. It’s the only remnant of a lost, pagan cult.

But no sooner have they arrived when it becomes clear they may be playing at a dangerous game. A colleague and friend of Paula’s father is found murdered. There are rumors of Cybele’s cult reviving within the very walls of Istanbul. And most telling of all, signs have begun to appear to Paula, urging her to unlock Cybele’s secret. As time begins to run out, she must solve the puzzle before unknown but deadly enemies catch up to her.

Review:
In this companion novel to Wildwood Dancing, Marillier skips ahead in time six years. Told from Paula’s viewpoint this time around, readers once again find themselves bending the lines between reality and the Other Kingdom. Sent on a quest, the scholarly seventeen-year-old must follow the clues that her oldest sister, Tati, is leaving for her in the form of signs, dreams, and apparitions.

Marillier has created another remarkable story with an unusual setting. The challenges that Paula faces as a young woman in Istanbul can only rival her strong-will—a trait that sees her through to the end. This story combines every element to spin a tale that will appeal to readers of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance. Though it is not necessary to read Wildwood Dancing prior to this one, I highly recommend it simply because it is another fantastic book and it gives you the chance to get to know the family as a whole.

Reading Rating:
I read this in one day! I couldn't put it down and was sad to see it end. Maybe a third book is in the future for these characters?

Heavy Reading, Lemurs, & Devious Plotting

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:19:00 +0000

Okay, so I've been a bit MIA lately. But I've been reading! Well, and working too. So I have lots of reviews I need to post. But first, something I just had to share. My dad has an obsession with the website, I Can Has Cheezburger. He's always sending me amusing "library cats" that I can post on my wallpaper at work. Here's my favorite one so far.

My goal for the day is to change the background on every computer at our reference desks to my cat background. Ridiculous, I know...but it amuses me. Kinda like Maureen Johnson and her lemurs! Though I have yet to take it to her level of lemur insanity...

Anyways, I recently was introduced to another site that's not as great as Cheezburger, but it had this awesome picture that I know you will enjoy! The caption was "Heavy Reading." All I can say is--thank goodness they didn't add Breaking Dawn to the stack. The poor cat would have been crushed :-)

John Green Speaks Out

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:55:00 +0000

If you haven't read it, please check out John Green's speech that he gave for the ALAN Conference. It is really inspiring and eye-opening. He once again proves his awesomeness and gives English teachers the credit they truly deserve. Also, he emphasizes the importance of giving teenagers the benefit of the doubt. They are smart, intelligent, and can "get it." But John says it much better than I ever could, so stop listening to me ramble and get on over to his site!

"...we know that young people can rise to intellectual challenges. I know because the course of my life was altered by teachers who challenged me, who assumed I was smart and refused to acknowledge otherwise despite considerable evidence. We know the importance of never selling kids short and never selling them out, because I’d imagine we’ve all seen our lives changed by teachers who believed in us." --John Green

Twilight Movie Spoilers

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:30:00 +0000

I really should just take my favorite Twilight books (Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse) and retreat to a corner. I shouldn't have read Breaking Dawn. And I really shouldn't have seen the movie. Sigh.

Don't get me wrong--I love, love, love Bella & Edward. But I love my versions of them. In my head. And the movie just didn't match that for me. There were too many awkward silences and drawn out scenes. The acting wasn't great. Can you honestly tell me you didn't giggle hysterically when Edward first got a whiff of Bella? It was ludicrous. And MY Edward is not a spider monkey leaping thru trees.

But much like the HP movies, the big screen can never quite match up with what I have going on in my imagination. My husband said he didn't think it was that bad, but then he hasn't been in love with these characters for years like I have. But he did point out a lot of things they didn't include in the movie that made it confusing for non-Twilight readers. I had a lot of explaining to do...

All in all, I could have done without, but now I know what someone else's vision of Twilight is like. And it's made me realize that we each have our own version wandering around inside our heads.

Twilight is coming...

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:11:00 +0000

It's almost here!! Despite my best efforts to not get my hopes up, I really really hope that the Twilight movie lives up to all the hype and more importantly my high standards for what a Twilight movie is supposed to be like. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive when they announced Kristen Stewart and Rob Pattinson as Bella & Edward. But they're starting to grow on me.

Kristen definitely has that awkwardness to her that embodies Bella. And Rob...well, I still want to fetch him a comb or something, but the chemistry between the two of them seems undeniable in all the clips I've seen. So come Friday night (yes I have to wait until after work!), me and my willing (yes, he's willing!) husband will be watching my most beloved vampire tale unfold...

BTW, if you see it before me, don't spoil it! Wait until Saturday to let me know what you think ;-) For now, this will have to do.

How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:56:00 +0000

If the cover and the title are not enough to draw you in, the premise of this book will win you over in a heartbeat. Set in New Avalon, the world's most self-obsessed city, Larbalestier (author of the Magic or Madness trilogy) has created a world where everyone gets their own personal fairy. No one can see or hear their fairy, but it is usually does not take long to figure out what kind everyone has. The lucky few have a really doos (cool) fairy like a clothes shopping fairy. But then there is Charlie, who got stuck with the most undoos fairy of all--a parking spot fairy.

Sure it is dead useful if you are old enough to drive. But to Charlie she would rather have no fairy at all instead of enduring the smell of gasoline and vinyl seats one more time. She is tired of her friends and family "borrowing" her in order to find the perfect parking spot. In an attempt to get rid of her fairy, she starts walking everywhere and this is where the trouble begins.

With a language and culture all its own, this story is not your typical fairy book. It will make you laugh out loud and cheer Charlie on in her attempts (and failed attempts) to get rid of her pesky parking fairy. With its fast-paced narrative, loads of drama, and a touch of romance, Larbalestier will leave you wanting more including a fairy of your own.

Caution: Despite the suggestions in the book, I was not able to get rid of my fairy, Pixie. And unlike Justine's fairies, mine is very visible and very loud. Check out the photo below to see what a "makes you trip and wakes you up too early" fairy looks like.