The Library Fairy

New Year List

2012-01-05T14:29:00.000-08:00

Here is the list of my favorite books of 2011. You may have seen some of them posted and you may not have. They are in the order I read them-that's it.It was a slow year; only 62 books read. I had one year where I read 150 books. I wasn't working full time then. And I was reading more of those smaller pieces of brain candy than I have time for now. *Sigh*.

It was a great year for book. My TBR (to be read) pile is bigger than ever but my husband tells me retirement is just around the corner. I'll believe that when the financial planner explains how it's all going to work. And I keep piling up knitting books and patterns also soooooo time will still be an issue. There could be worse problems.

Happy New Year! Happy Reading!

Graceling Kristin Cashore (YA) Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . .

The Oracle of Stamboul Michael David Lukas Ushered into the world late in the summer of 1877 in the town of Constanta on the Black Sea, Eleonora Cohen proves herself an extraordinarily gifted child—a prodigy—at a very young age. When she is eight years old, she stows away aboard a ship, to the imperial capital of Stamboul where a new life awaits her. But it is only when she charms the eccentric Sultan Abdulhamid II—beleaguered by friend and foe as his unwieldy realm crumbles—that Eleonora will change the course of an empire.

A Discovery of Witches Debra Harkness Diana Bishop, a young scholar and the descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont.

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott Kelly O’Connor McNees In the summer of 1855, when vivacious Louisa May Alcott is twenty-two and bursting to free herself from family and societal constraints and do what she loves most, she meets Joseph Singer, and as she opens her heart, Louisa finds herself torn between a love that takes her by surprise and her dream of independence as a writer in Boston. The choice she must make comes with a steep price that she will pay for the rest of her life.

The End of Everything Megan Abbott Thirteen-year-old Lizzie Hood and her next-door neighbor, Evie Verver, are inseparable, best friends between whom -- presumably -- there are no secrets. Then one afternoon, Evie disappears and everyone turns to Lizzie for answers. Was Evie unhappy, troubled, or upset? Had she mentioned being followed? Compelled by curiosity, Lizzie takes up her own furtive pursuit of the truth. Haunted by dreams of her lost friend and titillated by her own new power as the center of the disappearance, Lizzie uncovers secret after secret and begins to wonder if she knew anything at all about her best friend.

A Good High Place L.E.Kimball Set during the years prior to World War I in Elk Rapids, Michigan, A Good High Place addresses familial struggles and those of a nation moving inexorably toward the age of the automobile. The sometimes painful adaptations of a faster-paced age are embodied, in part, in the struggles of Luella’s father who, already troubled by the death of his wife, wrestles with the realization that his livelihood as a steamboat captain is becoming obsolete.

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand Helen Simonson The Major epitomizes the Englishman with the "stiff upper lip," who clings to traditional values and has tried (in vain) to pass these along to his yuppie son, Roger. The story centers around Pettigrew's fight to keep his greedy relatives (including his son) from selling a valuable family heirloom--a pair of hunting rifles that symbolizes much of what he stands for, or at least what he thinks he does. The embattled hero discovers an unexpected ally and source of consolation in his neighbor, the Pakistani shopkeeper Jasmina Ali.

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin (943.086) Erik Larson In 1933, President Roosevelt personally selected William E. Dodd to be the United States ambassador to Nazi Germany. Dodd took his family with him, including his daughter Martha. Initially enamored with the Nazi party and its passion, Martha supported the Third Reich. However, when Hitler's violent policies became apparent, Martha changed her opinion and watched in horror. Here, author Erik Larson offers a chilling first-person account of Germany's transformation under Hitler's rule.

Something Old Something New: A Blessings Novel Beverly Jenkins The citizens of Henry Adams are starting to take bets—will Lily Fontaine and Trent July finally tie the knot? All they want is a nice, simple wedding, but their well-meaning neighbors are turning the no-fuss affair into the event of the decade. Bernadine, the town's fairy godmother, wants Lily to have a storybook wedding fit for a princess, and Lily's nine-year-old foster son is campaigning to be town preacher so he can officiate at the ceremony. Trouble multiplies when Trent is called on to help a new family move to town, not to mention Lily and Trent's task of blending their families together.

The Waiting Place:Learning to Appreciate Life’s Little Delays (248.4) Eileen Button We all spend precious time just waiting. We wait in traffic, grocery store lines, and carpool circles. We wait to grow up, for true love, and for our children to be born. We even wait to die. But amazing things can happen if we open our eyes in The Waiting Place and peer into its dusty corners. Sometimes relationships are built, faith is discovered, dreams are (slowly) realized, and our hearts are expanded. With humor and heart-breaking candor, Eileen Button breathes life into stagnant and, at times, difficult spaces. Throughout this collection of essays she contends that The Waiting Place can be a most miraculous place-a place where beauty can be experienced, the sacred can be realized, and God can be found working in the midst of it all.

The Waiting Place

2011-11-12T12:00:00.000-08:00

I won a copy of "The Waiting Place: Learning to Appreciate Life's Little Delays" by Eileen Button. It was a wonderful book. I read it in less than a week, which is very unusual for me these days-It seems I am so busy, I no longer take time to read. (I am knitting a great deal, so I get my relaxation time in, not to worry).

"With humor and heart-breaking candor, Eileen Button breathes life into stagnant and, at times, difficult spaces. Throughout this collection of essays she contends that The Waiting Place can be a most miraculous place-a place where beauty can be experienced, the sacred can be realized, and God can be found working in the midst of it all." From Amazon.com

The book was about what we do when we are waiting for life to happen. Good times, bad times, and all the in between life happens times. Eileen conveys all the emotions we experience and really hits notes that resonate . She uses her life experience as examples and I am sure they are not what everyone experiences,but there is something in this book for everyone.

I really appreciate when someone can write so well that I love it or hate it - a book that makes one sit up and take notice. Ms. Button does all this and more-she touches the heart. It's a book you'll have to look for but one worth searching for.

And Eileen is a really nice (no, I mean cool, I mean I need a word that conveys all that without making her sound like white bread or something that will pass with the next fad-like amazing ) person . Who doesn't love a writer that loves libraries?

So go out and BUY THIS BOOK-it's really good.

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

2011-06-08T04:04:00.000-07:00

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees

This was a delightful book. The story of what might have happened to Louisa May one summer when her family lived in New Hampshire. It also suggests that the character of "Laurie" in Little Women was a real live love of Louisa's. This has been a topic of conjecture for some time.

I liked how the author brought all the characters to life and made an appealing story. I always liked the book Little Women (and several of her stories after as well). Learning that Louisa May was so fierce and intense was delightful and explains some of her later writings that were not like LW.

The book reminded me a little of Miss Spitfire:Reaching Helen Keller by Sara Miller. Both take real people who we have heard about and tell their stories from another perspective. All fictional but with solid research to support the story and add the septh that enriches the narrative.

Perfect for summer reading.

The Oracle Of Stamboul

2011-04-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

A first novel by Michael David Lukas.
The novel is set in late 19th century Romania and Turkey. It is about a girl, Eleonora Cohen, who is told she is destined for great things.
Her story unfolds quickly-her mother dies right after giving birth to her. Her father, Yacob , tries to raise her as best he can, with the help of his sister-in-law (He marries her to keep it all respectable). Eleonora's aunt is not a very sympathetic character and I did not miss her when she faded from the story.
When Eleonora is 8 her life changes drastically. She stows away in her father's luggage to go to Stamboul with him. There we meet Moncef Bey, her father's associate. All goes well until her father dies in a boating accident. Moncef takes her in as his own and this is where, after a series of other events, she meets the Sultan and becomes The Oracle of Stamboul.

I've tried to outline the story without giving away any of the plot endings. There's lots more to the story but I guess you'll have to pick it up to find out.

I liked the book. There were parts that were very lyrical. Eleonora was interesting -I really liked how thoughtful she became. A good lesson for all of us. Moncef Bey remained rather elusive. I would have liked some of the characters a little more developed, perhaps.

The ending was great and the final line was the best:
"For stones in the river of history look different depending on where you stand."

Planting Dandelions

2011-04-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

No, not me, I live in Michigan where dandelions are illegal in most subdivisions. I'm referring to the book "Planting Dandelions: Field notes from a semi-domesticated life" by Kyran Pittman. This is a hysterical book about life. I was thinking about where but the truth is, it could be about any of us, anywhere. Especially if you're a woman. And/or a woman who has children. Kyran really nails the experiences so many of us share and in such a way that you are laughing along with the stories. She has been writing about her life in Good Housekeeping magazine and has taken the stories and put together a great book. I really identified with so many of the chapters and I'm not even as young or cute as she is. I was sent an Advanced Reading Copy by the publisher, Riverhead books so was not paid to say how much fun this book is and how YOU SHOULD RUN OUT AND BUY YOUR OWN COPY. Kyran will thank you - she has 3 boys to feed. I can't wait until she goes through the teen years with them-the stories will only get better. Check out her website: http://www.kyranpittman.com/ the book's site http://www.plantingdandelions.com/

Sing You Home

2011-03-14T05:08:00.000-07:00

I was sent an advanced reader's copy of Jodi Picoult's newest book "Sing You Home" by Simon and Schuster. I have finally finished it and surprisingly enough, I liked it.
I had sworn I would never read another Jodi Picoult book after "My Sister's Keeper". That one just wrung me out, emotionally. I really respect a writer who can make you feel something-whether you love it or hate it-when you read a book.
"Sing You Home" does not have quite the same emotional roller coaster that Sister's did. I don't know if it was the multiple voices the book had or the enormity of the topic covered in the book. The book deals with 3 families who, over a ten year span or so, deal with marriage, divorce, cancer, religious rights, alcoholism, homosexuality, fertility legalities, and a bit of teen troubles. Max and Zoe are married and due to fertility issues in both parties, resort to IVF (In vitro fertilization-or test tube babies) treatments. After the latest treatment results in a still birth, Max can no longer live in the marriage. He goes to live with his brother and his wife-who have their own problems- and Zoe crashes. Zoe eventually bounces back and deals with cancer and finds a friend in Vanessa, a school counselor at a high school where Zoe does music therapy. Zoe and Vanessa's friendship evolves into love and they become partners.
Zoe remembers there are 3 embryos frozen at the clinic she and Max used and has to get Max to sign off on them. Max has since become born-again into a church that leans toward the religious right. He thinks the embryos should go to Reid and Liddy- his brother and his wife (who Max has fallen in love with by this time). A legal battle ensues.
I won't tell you how it ends but I was satisfied with the ending. And will be recommending the book to readers. There are alot of plot lines running around in this book but Ms. Picoult manages to weave them into a timely and well-balanced story. And there is a music disc included with the book so you can hear Zoe's voice along with the story. I have to admit I did not listen to the disc-I like to form my own opinions but I am sure you can find additional reviews elsewhere.
Just one last plug- Buy this book from an independent bookseller like one of my two favorites- The Books Connection of Shelby or Aunt Agatha's in Ann Arbor Michigan. Both have great websites as well.

Boiling Point

2011-02-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

Karen Dionne's latest eco-thriller is out and getting great reviews. We hosted her at the Romeo District Library in January and had a great time.

Her latest book follows the explosion of a volcano in Chile: modeled after a real volcano that wiped out a whole town on the coast of Chile.

Here is a great review (Why re-create the wheel?) that I couldn't have said better myself:
http://www.sciencethrillers.com/2011/latest-book-review-boiling-point-karen-dionne/#more-1842

And here is Karen's website if you'd like to know more:
http://www.karen-dionne.com/

2011-01-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

"Balkanized at Sunrise" by Joe Tripician

I saw a blurb about this on Shelf Awareness- a daily read alert website for those interested in the book world. If I e-mailed the author, I might win a book. I e-mailed and Joe himself replied and said if I shamelessly promoted his book, I might win a copy. So here it is- go buy this book. It does sound funny.

If I win said copy, I can tell you how much I enjoyed it. What do you say, Joe?

About "Balkanized at Sunrise"

In the immediate aftermath of the bloody Balkan wars of the 90s, a penniless science-fiction author was hired to write the official biography of Croatia's President, Franjo Tudjman.

In an effort to keep Tudjman out of the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague, the Croatian government hired Joe Tripician, the author of "The Official Alien Abductee's Handbook", to pen a state-sanctioned biography for US consumption. The biography, far from a whitewashed piece of propaganda, became a darkly comic and sadly tragic tale of deception, danger, death and desire, where guilt abounds, but responsibility remains elusive.

"Balkanized at Sunrise" is the true story of how Joe navigated between toadying government aides, lying politicians, harassed dissident journalists, and Croatian and Bosnian women looking for a quick visa. It's a fascinating memoir of political, moral, and sexual proportions.

More background on the story here: http://joetrip.com/projects/89-balkanized-at-sunrise

Another Young Adult novel that is NOT just for kids

2010-08-05T15:01:00.000-07:00

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Another YA novel that will knock your socks off. I couldn't put it down and am waiting eagerly for the next one (waiting my turn at the library) and then the third is due out later this month.

The Hunger Games is set in a future US that has been torn apart by civil unrest and reconstructed into Districts. To entertain the masses, each district offers 2 Tributes each year to the Hunger Games. The object of this game is to be the last kid standing. Only kids from age 12-18 are chosen.

This year Katniss Everdeen takes her little sister's place as Tribute. The boy from her Distriict, Peeta , is the baker's son. To survive the Games, Peeta and Katniss eventually join forces. They pretend they are in love and end up winning the Games-but at what cost?

I love how the book is paced to keep moving . The action is well timed and not too gory (except maybe the last one and the plot twist to that one is something else.) The characters are engaging and believable. Very well written.

I'm looking forward to reading Catching Fire-the second installment in this trilogy.

Author Love

2010-06-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

I have to say, authors are a generous and wonderful crowd. Not only do they share their imaginations with us, they often share so much more.

The public library I work for is in the midst of the summer reading program. We have a section for childreen, teens, and adults. Prizes are strongly suggested to be reading related so we have been actively seeking books as prizes. I found some great authors and author sites (I have posted some earlier) but today I'd like to give a shout out to the group at backspace.org. This group of writers support each other and most recently, they have supported me. So thanks to Willam Mills, Bonnie Turner, Carla Buckley, Randy Sue Meyers, A.S. King, and Karen Dionne- Our program would be a pale shadow of itself without you.

New Star on the horizon?

2010-05-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

I just finished Alan Bradley's "The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag" -the second Flavia deLuce mystery. It was excellent. As much fun as the first: "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie".
Set in post WWII England, it stars 11 year old Flavia deLuce, budding chemist and the youngest daughter of three born to Harriet (deceased) and Haviland deLuce. She is quite the cheeky thing and drives her older sisters batty as they, in turn, torment her as only siblings of the same sex can. I speak from experience as an older sister.
The plot is complex but Bradley does a "bang-up" job of creating believable characters and a plot that keeps you guessing. My only complaint, if you will, is how Flavia can outsmart the police. Not that it is impossible, but perhaps, in this case, it was laid on a little too thick. None the less, I look forward to reading more of Flavia's adventures. And what she thinks of next to get revenge on her sisters' attentions.

2010-05-11T07:45:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, it's been awhile. I've been reading, honet. Just not posting. Maybe it will get easier and faster-soon.
Today though, I want to share another blogger's site as she is doing what I would love to do-she takes this whole book review thing to a whole new level-
Liz can be found here Http://Cleverlyinked.blogspot.com check it out and if you find it as interesting as I did-you can sign up for some fabulous birthday prizes from authors all over. And follow Liz as she shares all kinds of good books.

And when you do all that-run to your local library/favorite independent bookstore and check out "The Owl Keeper" by Chris Brodien Jones. It's her second book and they only get better-It's written for young adults but you know that's never stopped me from reading a good book.

The Leisure Seeker

2009-05-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian

Michael’s latest book is the story of Ella and John Robina of Detroit Michigan. They’re both older and he has dementia and she has cancer. What a pair. Ella decides they need one more road trip to Disneyland before it’s too late. Only their kids already think that. No matter. Ella packs up the Leisure Seeker and off they go. Off to travel on Route 66 and down Memory Lane.

It is a great story. I laughed, I cried, I identified. As so many of us will as we deal with aging parents and life that isn’t what we remember it to be. And Michael tells it so well.

I understand Michael has dealt with some of the issues in the book. It is said to write well, one should write what one knows. That and this is Michael’s second novel after Secondhand. You can tell he has gotten better at his craft.

So go see that independent bookseller and pick up a copy or two. Or come to the Romeo District Library (65821 Van Dyke Road, Washington, MI 48095) on May 7^th at 7:30 PM to meet Michael, pick up a copy of his newest book (from my favorite independent bookstore-The Books Connection of Shelby). It should be a fun evening. And there will be cookies.

Find all the places mentioned on the web: www.MichaelZadoorian.com

Romeo District Library www.libcoop.net/romeo
The Books connection www.booksconnectionofshelby.com

ARC's

2009-04-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

I received my first ARC (Advance reading copy) a few weeks ago. I can’t tell what a thrill it was for me. Especially since I have met the author but I really didn’t think she would know me from any other librarian out there.
It is for Megan Abbott’s newest book “Bury Me Deep”. (http://www.meganabbott.com/) It was excellent. As Megan’s books always are. Set in Depression era Arizona, it is based on the true story of Winnie Ruth Judd, a woman accused of murdering her two friends. I’ll leave the details at that- you’ll just have to get the book and read it when it comes out in July. Or tell your local librarian to make sure it is on order so you can have in hand on release date. Librarians love it when you do that-trust me.

I love the way Megan can create atmosphere with just a few words. Her novels are considered noir and they really do echo the novels of the time period she writes in. And I do mean in because she must be totally immersed to be able to write as she does. But you’d never know it if you met her. She is just lovely and not at all dark and mysterious-OK, maybe she does mysterious but I’ve only seen nice. After all, most women want to be mysterious every once in a while-even Library fairies.

Go out and order that book. Best yet- order it from an independent book seller. They’re nicer than any big box store and once you establish yourself with one, you’ll never go back.

Lost

2009-02-26T04:16:00.000-08:00

One of the things I love about reading is getting lost in a good book. I love how you can lose all sense of time passing. Just this morning I was reading and I looked up and I was amazed at how little time had actually passed but so much had happened in the book. It was something. Reading has come easily to me as long as I can remember and I have always loved how a book can take you out of time and place. That's why working in a place filled with books is book a joy and a constant source of irritation- SO many books, so little time. Ahhh, for days off and retirement time. My TBR (to be read) list will be delightful.

A Jewel of a Book

2009-02-16T06:33:00.000-08:00

I finally got to read my copy of Beverly Jenkin's book "Jewel". It is a romance set in the 1800's in western Michigan. It's not only a romance, but a history lesson too. I don't want to make it sound boring because it is anything but. Beverly has a unique way to tell you what happened and make it interesting too. OK- Maybe interesting isn't the right word either. How about pulse racing, fan-yourself-oh-my, *blush*blush*, whooo interesting. Beverly sneaks in that history between scenes of steamy romance. Gotta love it.

"Jewel" is the story of Eli Grayson and Jewel Crowley. They were always friends but grew apart as life took them in different directions. Now Eli needs a wife for a night and asks Jewel to masquerade as her and what a world of trouble it brings for both of them- or does it?

I've had the pleasure of meeting Beverly Jenkins and she is an amazing woman. Very dynamic and funny, a pleasure to converse with. Her books span the categories of historical romance, contemporary romantic suspense, young adult novels, and now contemporary romance. I just read she has a new book out "Bring on the Blessings" and it sounds like another well written book. A new direction for Beverly too, as it is described by Marcia Abramson of the Detroit Free Press, as a contemporary novel. Not to say that she won't sneak in a little historic information or romance into it either- I can hardly wait to read it.
You should too.

Audio Books

2009-01-19T06:27:00.000-08:00

Like many people, my days are very full (not only am I a library Fairy, I am also a full time laundry fairy, candy fairy, hosehold supply, etc.-it can be exhausting).
Frequently, I find I can "read" more books if I listen to them in my car. Friends are amazed as most of my commutes are 15 minutes or less but it works for me. It's great on long trips, especially when the family agrees. It is also a good way to read books you may not normally pick up to read. I find it helpful for history, which I love, but it can be slow going to read.

I am currently reading "The Adoration of Jenna Fox"- a YA title that is quite interesting. It involves the future, bio ethics and a bunch of teen-agers. I can't wait to see where it goes next.

Last year I listened to "I Feel Bad About My Neck" read by the author Nora Ephrom. It was great. There is something special about books read by the author. It brings the book more alive as the author is able to convey what they mean via vocal inflection.

So try it sometime. Your local librarians are more than happy to give you their opinion about books anytime.

Suggestion Taken

2008-11-16T08:08:00.000-08:00

I read the book suggested by my daughter, her fiance, and friend.
Fall on Your Knees by Ann Marie MacDonald
A family saga set on Cape Breton, Nova Scotia that spanned 3 generations. It was more tragic than happy -more a reflection of the hard life that existed for many during the early 20th century. Struggles included racism, war, prohibition, and just growing up. There was also family issues and human drama including abuse and incest. Many many secrets. But all in all, through all the hardships and despair, there was a thread of hope that could not be extinguished. It was the one redeeming point in the whole story.
I'm still not sure I liked it but I did respect the writing and admire the writer's ability to convey such images in so few words.
And I will recommend it where I can can because it does make one think.

Banned Books Week

2008-10-02T16:57:00.000-07:00

The American Library Association has named this Banned Books Week -

They want to highlight intellectual freedom and the right to read. As a librarian I feel pretty strongly that you should be able to read pretty much what you want to. As a parent, I have held different opinions. Perhaps I've become more enlightened.

I was asked to read and comment on a banned book for another blog and decided to post it here as well. You can read others comments at www.pattinase.blogspot.com if you'd like to see what others are talking about.

I read Chris Crutcher’s Athletic Shorts. 6 short stories published in 1991 that have won the School Library Journal Best Book of the Year Award as well as the American Library Association’s Best Book for Young Adults Award.

The book has been banned for homosexuality and offensive language. It has been on the Top Ten List of Banned Books for the past 10 years.

Yes, the book uses language that is normally considered offensive. But it is also the language you hear everyday in the hallways of almost every high school in this country. That’s why kids like the book-it’s real; real stuff that happens to real people, just like them. Chris Crutcher gets that. He has coached high school teams. He has and still is, I believe, counseling troubled teen-agers so he knows what he’s talking about. Teen readers respect that.

What I liked about the stories is that each one had a moment that offered hope or redemption to at least one of the characters. And it’s done so well, some kids may not even notice. Kids can see that over done story and won’t read it or tell their friends about it. In Athletic Shorts, they just might see themselves.

Yes, we need to make sure what our kids read has some kind of value-even if it is just entertainment value. But is also our job as parents, educators, librarians, and citizens to have free access. If we don’t want our kids reading something, then it is our responsibility to monitor said kid and also to teach them to make those decisions. Reading is such an individual occupation that what I like, you may not and vice versa. However, it is not my responsibility to tell you what you can or cannot read. It should not be up to one individual to decide whether a book is acceptable to a whole community. So we have Banned Books Week to remind us of that.

Dilemma

2008-09-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

One of the toughest things for a bibliophile is that age old question-What do I read next?
One of the books the "kids" recommended this summer(Margaret Atwood, The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, or Fall on Your Knees by MacDonald?)
OR should I catch up one of my series-Edna Buchanan, Louise Penney, Cordelia Frances Biddle or....
OR should I re-read next month's book club selection or read ahead?
OR finally re-read The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett that I have been meaning to read all summer (I know, it's fall already)
OR Oprah just announced her next book...

OR what do YOU think I should read next?

Envy

2008-09-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

I just finished Michael Koryta's newest novel, Envy the Night. (www.michaelkoryta.com) It is amazing, fabulous, hard to put down, suspensefull, all of the above. He has written a book so tightly crafted, it is just wonderful. It's the story a young man who returns to a childhood spot to extract revenge on a man who he believes betrayed his father. You'll have to read it yourself if you want to find out if he did.

I really like Michael's works. With each new novel, he just gets better and better. His plots are often complex and compelling. The books are always readable (even when you have to put it down for a while because he has built the suspense to a fever pitch and you need to breath a minute before you can finish.) And he's a nice guy too. I've met him at library events and book signings and he's okay. And much better looking than his picture on the book cover suggests.

So go out and buy a copy of Envy the Night. You'll want to own it-it's that good. Then tell all your friends and tell them to buy a copy. You won't want to share.

Book Heaven

2008-09-08T05:44:00.000-07:00

Yep-That's where I was this weekend. It was "Mystery Comes to Michigan" at my library this weekend. % fabulous authors came to discuss their books and writing and stuff. They were a lot of fun. And they all have websites so check out Suzanne Arruda's Jade Cameron series, Cordelia Frances Biddle's site for Martha Beale and more, Chris Grabenstien's for mayhem at the Jersey shore, Kathryn Miller Haines' for her take on World War II New York, and Peter Leonard's new Michigan crime fiction.
I learned alot and had lots of fun. Thanks to some great people.

Then if that wasn't enough, the next day was the Kerrytown Bookfest. A whole day of books and authors. I got to see "my" authors interacting on different panels and I got to see some old favorites (Big shout out to Beverly Jenkins) and I met some new authors. Great, a longer TBR pile. *sigh* the trails of being a bibliophile. I'll have to tell you more about Kerrytown before the event next year. It's a great way to spend a Sunday and a fun city to spend it in.

Gotta go and look up some things and place holds on all those books I didn't buy.

Authors

2008-07-21T04:37:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted- What can I say? I've been busy. Working (2 jobs-one full-time and one all the time), reading, and meeting authors!

It's got to be one of the highlights of my job. And they are most often fabulous people. I so admire what they do. As you know, I have a hard time keeping this up, I can't imagine trying to write X number of words everyday. But I'd like to thank Maris Soule and Kathe Koja for coming out to the Romeo District Library. It was great to host you and to meet you. Maris came for National LIbrary Week and Kathe came at my co-worker's Marissa's request- for the young adult Summer Reading Program. Lots of fun.

AND I'm getting ready for 5 more authors in September. In conjunction with the Kerrytown Book Festival www.kerrytownbookfest.org/ we at the Romeo District Library are hosting a 4th annual Mystery Comes to Michigan. Keep posted as I add more about that.

Oz

2008-03-02T12:32:00.000-08:00

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was always one of my favorite reads as a child. I mean not just the Wizard, but also Ozma of Oz, Return to Oz, The Patchwork Girl and so on for all 14 volumes. After reading There's No Place Like Home by Cecelia Ahern, I want to reread all of them.
Ms. Ahern set her modern fairy tale in Ireland where the heroine, Sandy Shortt, found a parallel world much like Dorothy did in her adventures with the Wizard. Only being a modern tale, Sandy had to find her own way back. I won't spoil the book for you- you'll have to read it yourself, but I will tell you I enjoyed it. I really expected a frothy bit of chick lit but it was an interesting tale that made you think. The author's first book was written while she was still in university and has since been made into a sappy Hollywood romance (maybe I'm not being fair to it as I haven't seen it-just the reports of my university age daughter who laughed and cried throughout.) P.S. I Love You was well received and is still being widely read.
I had a love/hate relationship with the classic Wizard of Oz movie-loved the Good Witch Glinda, was terrified of the Wicked Witch of the West. And who can blame me-she was pretty scary, especially if you're under the age of 5. I'm so glad she no longer does.
And there is really is no place like home, no matter how old you are or where you live.

It's Been a while

2008-02-07T05:22:00.001-08:00

I know, I know, it's been a while since I've posted. And not because I haven't been reading-I've been busy. Life happens.
But I have read some amazing books over the past few months and here are a few of my favorites.
I just finished The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. It was first published in 2001 but was re-released as a paperback in time for the movie release. Great historical novel of Mary and Anne Boleyn of the Merry Wives of Windsor Henry the 8th Anne Boleyn. Great historical that was easy to read and gave life to those ladies and the life of the Royal Court.
The Collectors by David Baldacci - The second of the Camel Club novels by Baldacci . Action, conspiracy theories, and Washington politics all rolled up in one exciting novel. An interesting novel about what happens when a CIA operative (and former assassin) goes rogue.
Here if You Need Me by Kate Braestrup-Billed as a biography, this is a touching story of how a woman becomes an ordained minister after her husband dies. But the parish she serves is very wide reaching as she is a chaplin for the Maine Warden Services. So it part love story (the life with her husband who died in the line of duty as a Maine State Policeman) and part coming of age story. I say this becasue sometimes the path we choose as young paople is very different than the path we end up on as fully grown adults. Read the book and see if I'm not right.

YA- Why Not?

2007-12-01T12:37:00.000-08:00

YA refers to Young Adult-(Teen)-literature; books written for, and sometimes by, teens.

It’s a genre I read a little about when my kids were growing up (trying to keep up). And then in library school I took a course in YA lit. . It was fun. Then I became a YA librarian –serving the population that makes up ¼ of our users. And I met some really cool authors along the way; I’m hooked.

If you have teens in your life, you’ve heard of some of these stories. Even if you don’t, but are aware of popular culture, you’ve been exposed to the genre. Eragon, a movie released last year, is a YA novel. It was written by Christopher Paolini when he was 15 years old. The book is better than the movie, by the way. It’s a fantasy novel about a young man who hatches a dragon and becomes a dragon rider and tries to save the world he lives in. I have yet to read the sequel, Eldest, and I’ve heard the third will be out next year. I’d better get busy. Too busy reading Harry Potter most likely (speaking of popular….)

Kissing the Bee by Kathe Koja was a surprising little book. It really reminded me of some of what it felt like to be a teenager again and it really made me think it would be a great book club book because there were so many talking points: if you could get the young people in your life to open up about all that stuff. Kathe Koja is an author who lives here in Michigan and has won awards for her novels- now I have to read more.

Then there’s Stephenie Meyer’s story of modern vampires in Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse. The first one was good; the second was ok (I still wanted to know what would happen); but by the third….it was C’mon already (I really wish you could hear the whine). I know the book was written by a Mormon Mom but some of the plot lines are a little far fetched (even considering it is a vampire/werewolf series and that’s not the part that was far fetched.)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak was a great book. Set in Nazi Germany and narrated by Death, it was a great story of the human spirit. It was written as an adult novel but when he sold the rights to an American publisher, it was decided it would be a better fit for a YA audience. All I know is that I liked the book.

There are plenty others out there: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (or anything by her), anything by Chris Crutcher (including his autobiography King of the Mild Frontier), Meg Cabot, Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan, anything by Robin Hobb or Jane Yolan or Brian Jacques or even J.K. Rowling (I know some of you have read all the Harry Potter books) or Donna Napoli’s retelling of fairy tales or even Sarah Miller’s new one Miss Spitfire.

So feel free to take a look at what one quarter of the population reads.

Guilty Pleasures

2007-11-20T11:07:00.000-08:00

I get to read for my job. Not on the job, usually, but because it is the nature of public libraries (and I’ve found out even academic libraries do a roaring trade in Reader’s Advisory too). Usually, it’s stuff for book groups or for the reader’s advisory programs we do here at the library. But sometimes, I get to read for me.

Today I’m going to talk about the books I read because I like them. They’re never gonna win Pulitzer prizes but sometimes, it’s ok to be a little less driven.

The first is Creation in Death by J.D. Robb (also known as Nora Roberts) is the 25th book in the Eve Dallas series. It’s billed as a futuristic thriller with a romantic component tossed in. It’s set in New York City in the mid 21st century where Eve is a lieutenant with the New York police department. In this one she has to race the clock to find a serial killer. I knew how it was going to end and in the middle it did seem a little too true to formula but by the end I was unable to put it down because I wasn’t sure how she was going to pull it off. I enjoy the series because it is well written enough so you want to read them. And there’s the sexy Irishman that is Eve’s husband-Roarke. Who doesn’t love a tall, dark, handsome, and RICH man with an Irish accent?

The other is A Lick of Frost by Laurell K. Hamilton. This is her 6th entry in the Merry Gentry series. It’s a sci-fi/fantasy series set in the human world and the realm of Fairie. It’s not a very fast paced series (the 6 books cover about 1 month of time but then the author writes that time moves differently in Fairie) but it can be very entertaining.
I should warn that this is a very adult fairy tale (bordering on erotica) as the fey( those fairy folk) have a concept of love and sex that is not bound by human convention. This book finally returned the story line back more to the political ramifications of what going on with Princess Merry and her boys rather than what she and the boys were up to( trying not to give the whole plot away). I like the way all the old fairy tales and folk tale heros are brought into the story. Laurell has really done her homework.

Getting Started

2007-11-10T07:41:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about this for a long time and finally decided it was time to put it out there. In my job, I have to be fairly tech savy. This is just one more way to make sure I'm keeping up on the information superhighway (Still staying in the right hand lane for now).
I'll be posting my opinions on books, maybe movies, tech trends (which will be very basic as that's how I learn-one small step at a time.) I hope you find something here and I'm always looking for new selections.

Here's a book I read recently :Interred with Their Bones by Jennifer Carrell. It was a fast moving mystery/thriller with lots of reference to Shakespeare, Elizabethan society, and the age old question- DId Shakespeare write all his own stuff? Read the book and find out what they think.

Next on my list to conquer is wikis. They seem pretty easy to get started . I'll let you know. DId you know that wiki means fast or quick in Hawaiian? I just found that out. Now I have another obnoxious way to annoy my kids when they aren't moving fast anough for me!