Once again, it's been a long time since I've updated the blog, but I HAVE been reading- more than ever it seems.
I have discovered that my public library has a very nice slection of YA novels on CD, so I have been listening as well as reading. Also, award season has come and gone. Please Ignore Vera Dietz by AS King won the Printz Award (best in YA Lit) and is an author who will be coming to TBF- the Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival (http://www.tbflive.org/ ). I liked the story, but always have a problem with award winners- I've read others I like better- don't know what made this one stand out for the voters. Shipbreaker by Paolo Bacigalupi won a Printz Honor- dystopian, a litttle wierd, but good.

After reading Shiver by Maggie Steifvater, I had to read the sequel, Linger when it came out recently. It was even better than the first one. I loved reading about how Grace and Sam's relationship progressed and spent the whole book wondering what was going to happen to Grace- what was making her sick? LOVED IT!

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is one I read because one of my teachers is having her class read it and I never had. A twister that has you thinking and trying to figure out Who Done It? Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick is about a young girl who becomes embroiled with fallen angels- who can she trust? The Girl Next Door by Selene Castrovilla was very good- Sam's neighbor and best friend Jesse has cancer and only Sam can get through to him. Castrovilla is another TBF author who will be here in May! I am currently reading Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett- a recommendation of my daughter's- one of her favorites.

Once again, I haven't written in too long, but I HAVE been reading!

I had been wanting to read Lauren Myracle's Peace, Love and Baby Ducks for a while and am glad I finally got aroung to it. I actually listened to it on CD in my car. I liked it because it's about sisters and how hard growing up can be- and YES- there are actually baby ducks in the story... who can resist!

The Scorch Trials was the first book I downloaded onto my new NOOK (a holiday present to ME!). Dashner's newest installment in The Maze Runner series was amazing. The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials are presently THE most popular books in the library and for good reason. They are dystopian novels about a world very different from ours- thank goodness- where kids are being used as guinea pigs in experiments meant to test different 'variables'- whatever they might be? which are vital to society's survival. In my opinion the popularity of dystopian novels is a cry for help- DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO OUR WORLD!!

Willow by Julia Hoban just came out in paperback and caught my eye when I was making an EDGY book display. It's the story of a girl named Willow who blames herself for the death of her parents- she was driving. Willow is now living with her brother and has had to change schools. She is coping- or is she- by cutting, it's the only thing that is keeping her from losing it. Not particularly well written, the story is what kept me going.

YIKES! I haven't written in SO long!

I read Fallout by Ellen Hopkins the minute we got it in the library. I just love her stuff and am hoping to host her in our library this spring. Fallout is the third in the Crank trilogy with Glass being #2. These stories are based on the true story of her very own daughter who has been in and out of meth addiction for many years. Fallout is the story of the daughter's children and how their lives are effected by their mother's addiction.

I also read You by Charles Benoit and was impacted by the story to the degree that I made it our first 'staff book discussion read' on the NOOK- ereader. You is the story of a boy who makes all the wrong choices and is influenced by the wrong people to a disasterous end. I contacted the author, who is local, and he is thrilled that we're reading it and is going to join us for the discussion- YEAH!

When Behemoth finally came out last month- I had read Leviathan and was eagerly anticipating #2 in this series- I immediately grabbed it and savored it over this past week. I just LOVE Scott Westerfeld's writing and stories. Behemoth continues where Leviathan left off and Deryn and Alex are once again embroiled in WWI as the Darwinists and Clankers go at it. Deryn is having a hard time keeping 'her' secret as Mr. Sharp.

I am a BIG David Levithan fan and very much enjoyed Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist so when I heard he and Rachel Cohn had published another book, I had to get it. So I am currently reading Lily and Dash's Book of Dares and loving it, especially given the holiday season.

I'm just about to finish Jennifer Donnelly's Revolution. I'm trying to savor the ending because I've loved this book so much that I don't want it to end. In this tale of historical fiction, Andi- a 21st century young woman, is dealing with her own problems when she is made to travel to Paris with her estranged father. There, while researching her thesis, Andi finds a connection to another young woman from 200 years ago named Alex, and is transformed to the world of the French Revolution. It is a time of fear and danger. Alex has been companion to Louis-Charles, the dauphin (heir to the throne of France). His parents have already become victims of the dreaded guillotine and he is to be next. Alex's love for Louis-Charles seems to transport Andi to a place and time where she can learn to face her own 21st century demons.

OK- so I finished Fallout in just over 3 hours over the weekend. Having read Crank and Glass, and having met Ellen Hopkins and learned about her personal connection to the story, I was prepared for a powerful book. Fallout is the story of 3 of Kristina's children- Hunter, Autumn and Summer- and how their mother's addiction to meth stunted their emotional growth. All three stuggle in their lives and it becomes very evident that bad choices are still being made. It's sad, but it's also a cautionary tale- a warning. Please head the warning!
I am still amazed at Ellen Hopkins' ability to write her stories in verse, but honestly, half the time I was so engrossed in the story that I had to stop to notice- that's how well it flows. Also being one of the thickest books in the library- 3 hours to read!? Don't judge a book by its size- if it's a good one, you're going to want it to be longer anyway!

I just got a hold of our copy of Ellen Hopkins' newest- Fallout. it's the sequel to Crank and Glass, continuing the story of Kristina Snow (Ellen's real experiences with her troubled daughter). This one is written in verse like the others, but written from the perspective of the children born of the 'monster.' I'll let you know when I'm done with it, but it promises to be realy good!

Hi new blog-readers! This is my first post on my new blog for the Holley Jr/Sr High School Library's website.

I just finished reading Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. I like both authors so thought a collaboration would be worth reading. It took me a while to get into it, but once Will Grayson met Will Grayson I was hooked. I loved the character of Tiny and the honesty given the issues many face in high school.

I have Reckless, Cornelia Funke's first in a new series called- what else- The Reckless Series, on my list to read next. This story is inspired by the old fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm and should prove to be appropriately creepy.

The library also recently received a copy of Jennifer Donnelly's new book, Revolution. I really liked A Northern Light which came out several years ago. Revolution is the story of two girls living 2 centuries apart... but are they really?