teenspace: Vineyard Haven Public Library

Book Review: Ashfall by Mike Mullin

2012-01-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

Adding to the pot of dystopian novels is, author Mike Mullin's first novel, Ashfall. The first in a series, Ashfall chronicles surviving after a supervolcano erupts.

Fifteen-year-old Alex is left home alone for the weekend while his parents and sister travel out of state to visit relatives. Little did Alex know that a catastrophe would hit and he may never see them again. After the Yellowstone supervolanco erupts, Alex is determined to leave the state and find his family. On his journey he encounters friends doing things he could never believe possible, townspeople who have resorted to desperate measures to stay alive, and even finds love in a time of distress. Fighting to surive is the name of the game, and Alex is deep within the battle to survive, but must find his family above all costs.

This is book #1, so expect more. I'm expecting a trilogy. I am giving credit to the author because this is his first book, and let's be honest...it's HARD to write a book. But, that said, personally I felt that this book, although an exciting page-turner, seemed to be all over the map. A majority of the scenes were incredibly long and drawn out, which had me skimming some chapters, but as the book progressed it became more violent. I don't mind violence, but sometimes it just seemed unneccesary.

I give Mullin credit for the romance w/ the unlikely characters. Alex is scrawny and helpless, and Darla is strong and independent. They both compliment each other and find something within each other they may not have otherwise seen if he hadn't passed out close to death in her barn.

I also was under the impression Mullin wasn't sure how to finish the story. The last few chapters dragged on, and it was then that I realized there must be another book after this one. Overall, I enjoy the idea. Books about the world seemingly ending are interesting and intense. I also don't believe I had read a book about a volcano either, so this was a new one for me. The character development of Darla and Alex was strong, but I still feel like some of the plot points just didn't work.

Similar Reads:
Life As We Knew It, by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Gone, by Michael Grant
Fire-Us Trilogy, by Jennifer Armstrong and Nancy Butcher

Book Review: The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

2011-12-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

YA literature superstars, Jay Asher (author of, Thirteen Reasons Why) and Carolyn Mackler (author of, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things) worked together to create this novel centered around Facebook, YES, Facebook.

The year is 1996. Josh and Emma have been neighbors, and best friends for as long as they can remember. Josh made a mistake that changed everything last year between them, but when an AOL CD comes in the mail, Josh brings it over for Emma to install on her new computer. When Facebook pops up on the screen (which has yet to be invented), the two catch a glimpse into their lives 15 years in the future, and quickly learn that every move they make can alter their futures. The glimpse into the future leaves them playing with fire and deciding what decisions are best for them to make in the present.

I was excited for this book! These are two big names in the YA literature world. Although I kind of hated Thirteen Reasons Why (please, don't hurt me!), I wanted to give Asher another chance to redeem himself, in my eyes. I will say, this book didn't do it for me.

Usually I aim to give reviews for books that I think are amazing, or at least that I will heavily recommend, and while this one had an interesting plot, it just didn't deliver. The character development was weak, the pace was slow-moving, and I kept expecting more. The absolute strangest part to me, was that this final piece was the work of not one, but TWO popular authors. I expected greatness.

Even though Emma and Josh see their futures, and try to change the present in order to create better futures for themselves, there is no character growth. Josh is flat, and Emma is whiny and superficial, and she's close to learning a lesson in the end, but never really gets there. Now, is this because two authors collaborated and had trouble bringing their ideas together, or is it because the authors just didn't put enough effort into the characterization? Unsure of the answer. But, I know there was no part of me that gained any attachment to Emma or Josh, which makes it hard to keep reading.

Overall, interesting and fun concept, but a letdown for myself in terms of character development and the entirety of the plot.

Similar Reads:
Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

Book Review: Legend by Marie Lu

2011-12-08T09:07:00.000-08:00

Billed as, the next The Hunger Games, Legend is a dystopian thriller set in the future Los Angeles, in which the Western US has been divided and is at war with itself. This is only the first book in the series, so if you are looking for something to pick up after you have finished, The Hunger Games, this might be a good choice for you.

Day is the most wanted criminal in the Republic. He acts with a good heart, and his crimes have been only to save his family and country. June is a wealthy, young girl, who is being groomed for an elite position in the military, in order to serve the Republic.

Their paths were never set to cross, but when June's older brother, Metias is murdered, and Day is thought to be the culprit, June sets her own mission to take Day down. When the two meet under unexpected circumstances, their lives move in ways they never imagined, and together they begin to uncover secrets of the Republic, and what exactly they are fighting for or against.

This story is told in the alternating perspectives of June and Day, which I found added a lot to the story. The reader gets to know Day as more than just a "criminal", and simultaneously the reader gets to see the rebellious side of June, in and out of the military.

Dystopian fiction is incredibly popular right now, which begs the question, why is this book different than the rest? And, honestly, I don't think it's much different from the rest, but because I love all the dystopian YA fiction out there, this is just another great series for me to start. You will find the usual plot twists, teen angst and romance, secrets the government isn't telling everyone, and a very corrupt future. But, that's what makes this genre what it is!

The plot is fast paced, there are twists and turns galore, and the reader is left wanting more. I read the book in one sitting, because it's very hard to put down once you start it.

The ending is wide open for book #2, which Lu is currently editing.

Similar Reads:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Matched by Ally Condie

Book Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

2011-12-01T09:05:00.000-08:00

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was surrounded by hype before it was even released. While some have quickly fallen in love with it, others have thrown the book aside out of utter boredom. What side will you take? Although labeled in the adult fiction genre, I would definitely recommend this novel to young adults as well.

"Le Cirque des Rêves", or, The Circus of Dreams, arrives without notice, and travels across the world. It is only open at night, and you will see things you will likely never forget. You won't see bright colors and lion tamers, but black and white tents that each hold something magical. The smells, the sights, the performances - one never forgets.

But, behind the curtains a battle of magic is being played between Celia and Marco, two magicians that have been trained since they were young for the purpose of being the best. Only one victor is possible, but as the two fall madly into love, they begin to work as a unit instead of against each other. It's not only their fate they are rearranging, but the fate of the circus patrons and entire cast.

If you happen to read the book jacket, which most of us do, you will be expecting one story, and the real story, in all honesty, will not be what you are expecting. For some, you may feel misled, or angered at this, but for others, you will find the real story enchanting and beautiful. I am in the latter. I expected action, fighting, deaths, and bloodshed from the book jacket. I also expected a deep and timeless romance budding from the first few pages, and leaving me breathless. None of this is true, but what is true is that Morgenstern fills the pages with such magic and beauty that I couldn't put the book down. The lavish descriptions of the circus sights and smells, combined with the flashbacks and sheer talk of magic made me wish this book was a reality. And, if you enjoy changing perspectives, each chapter is a different character, so the reader gets to see the circus from an insider's view, and from an outsider's viewpoint.

Mind you, there is not much action, and the love story certainly takes a back seat to the magic and talk of the "battle" waging. But, this book didn't need action to propel it forward. Overall, if you have expectations for this book, get rid of them. If you are looking for a true romance novel or an action/adventure novel, this isn't the book for you. But, if you want to step outside of this world and believe in something magical for approximately 400 pages, give The Night Circus a shot.

Book Review: The Apothecary by Maile Meloy

2011-11-23T07:54:00.000-08:00

Adult author, Maile Meloy released her first young adult novel, The Apothecary and she definitely has quickly broken into the YA market and made her mark with this novel!

It's the 1950's and Janie Scott and her family have left their home of Los Angeles and moved to London. Janie soon meets the local apothecary, and his curious son Benjamin Burrows, who she instantly befriends. She was not aware that becoming friends with Benjamin would begin a series of adventures including the disapparence of the apothecary, the search for a kidnapped Chinese chemist, and constantly being on the run from Russian spies all to stop a nuclear war. All the information Janie and Benjamin need is included in a large book, called the Pharmacopoeia, which they must keep safe from everyone around them. Janie never knew that a move to London would result in these adventures and that meeting an apothecary and his son would introduce her to a world filled with magic.

Meloy does a remarkable job pulling together a plot that has multiple facets. She brings in historical fiction, fantasy, action/adventure, and more. From history about WWII and Russian spies, to magic books and spells, Meloy covers it all with humor, grace, and beautiful story telling.

The character development of Benjamin and Janie is sharp, from their relationship together, to the characters within themselves. Janie is a positive role model to watch. She becomes a stronger character as the story unfolds and is forced into scenarios she never thought possible.

Similar Reads:
Wonderstruck & The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Bloody Jack Adventures series by L.A. Meyer
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

Book Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

2011-10-27T11:13:00.001-07:00

Maggie Stiefvater, the author of The Wolves of Mercy Falls series, recently released her highly anticipated book, The Scorpio Races.

The first of November marks the Scorpio Races, a Thisby tradition in which riders must tame their water horses to reach the finish line. Some riders will live, and others will die. As fall approaches, the water horses can be seen making their way out of the water, and terrifying the island residents of Thisby. Kate Connolly, otherwise known as Puck, decides to race. Despite island misgivings about Puck being the first female to race, and her fear of water horses after they killed her parents years ago, Puck stands tall and enters the race. She meets Sean Kendrick, a young man who has won the previous four races, and is in favor to win this year. Through hard work and determination, can Puck be the next champion of the Scorpio Races, or will she come to see the same fate as her parents?

The concept for this book is unique. It's not often YA books revolve around killer horses that have sprung from the ocean. Although the character development of Sean and Puck is on point, the action and climax seem to be stinted. The build up of the races lasts almost the entirety of the book, and the actual race is mere pages in comparison. With so much leading up to the race, I expected a race that was going to last days and the riders and horses would endure multiple obstacles. Yet, the race is one quick run down the beach. Not to say this completely ruined the story for me.

I enjoyed the character development enough to keep reading. The budding romance between Sean and Puck happened slow enough that I was intrigued to see what the outcome would be. A flaw that stood out to me immediately was the time period, or lack thereof. There was no way to discern whether the setting was in present day, or 40 years ago. Overall, if you enjoy horses, and the dark plots so common to YA fiction, I would recommend this book.

Similar Reads:
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Green Witch by Alice Hoffman

Book Review: Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

2011-10-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

Brian Selznick revolutionized literature with his breathtaking story told through pictures and words in, The Invention of Hugo Cabret (soon to be a major motion picture called, "Hugo"). Selznick's latest book, Wonderstruck is just as awe-inspiring as his previous, and doesn't fail to disappoint.

In Wonderstruck, the reader follows parallell stories set 50 years apart. Ben, is deaf, and after the recent passing of his mother, he has moved in with his cousin. After visiting his old house he learns more about his past than he ever knew, and leaves town in hopes of finding out who his real father is. Paralleled in pencil drawings is the story of Rose, a deaf girl trying to find out where she belongs. She longs to be happy, and to find family that loves and appreciates her. Both stories intertwine when Ben and Rose end up at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC, just 50 years apart. When Ben and Rose's lives collide, the reader is reaffirmed of the importance of connecting with others and following your dreams.

This story holds appeal for children and adults alike. Wonderstruck is heartfelt and emotional. The pictures will delight all ages, and leaves the reader questioning how the stories will interact when they are set 50 years apart. While The Invention of Hugo Cabret uses a series of action sequences to push the story forward, the action takes a backseat to the use of emotions in this story.

Similar Reads:
Savvy by Ingrid Law
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Book Review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

2011-10-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

Maureen Johnson (author of The Bermudez Triangle and 13 Little Blue Envelopes) recently released, The Name of the Star, just in time for Halloween. Want a spooky, yet chuckle-inducing book? Here's a good place to start.

Aurora, who will only respond to the name Rory, leaves her home of Louisiana to spend a year studying in London at an elite boarding school, Wexford. As Rory arrives in London, a series of murders takes place that mimic the brutal crimes of Jack the Ripper. When a murder happens in her own backyard, Rory appears to be the only one who saw the suspect. And, now it seems as though the murderer is after her. This book is both haunting and humorous, and will keep readers on the edge of their seat. Like it? It's the first in The Shades of London series, so stay tuned!

Johnson builds the first half of this book around humour and slowly eases the reader into a dark world of grisly murders and paranormal activity. The book starts off slow, with the plot revolving around Rory getting settled, making new friends in London, and embarrassing herself time and time again. But, as the murders continue, the story begins to darken and the pace picks up. The humour, even in the darkest scenes makes this book stand out amongst its competition, but still has similar themes and undertones to its predecessors.

Rory is a quirky and strongly developed character, and her attitude and humour keep the story light considering the menacing backdrop. Johnson strays from her normal and solely chick-lit genre, into fantasy/supernatural/mystery, but does so effortlessly as she keeps Rory similar to characters in her other books. As a reader, it's easy to identify with Rory and her quirks.

Similar Reads:
Sorcery and Cecilia, or, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia Wrede
Shine by Lauren Myracle
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Book Review: Matched by Ally Condie

2011-10-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Can't get enough of, The Hunger Games? There are a ton of options out there for read-a-likes. Matched by Ally Condie is just one of the many. The second book in the series, Crossed, will be coming out in November, so it seems an ideal time for someone to start the series!

Cassia's entire life is decided for her by Society Officials. She never has to make a choice when it comes to clothing, food, or her job. When she turns 17 she is presented a match for marriage, and when her best friend Xander is her predetermined mate, it's a sigh of relief for Cassia. But, why is it when she expects to see Xander's face on her Match microchip, someone else's face is there instead? Will Cassia start making choices for herself, or stick to the regime and life that Society has set for her?

Condie's, Matched follows the lead of previous dystopian fiction, and does not fail to disappoint. The undercurrents running through Cassia's family and her town are chilling, and as the story unravels the reader is given a clear and haunting picture as to how Society is running everyone's lives.

Similar Reads:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Get Your Voice Heard at VHPL!

2011-10-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

Want kinds of programs do YOU want to see at the library? What books are YOU reading? Any new games YOU want the library to buy? Get your voice heard at VHPL. The Teen Advisory Group is a great way to get involved in the library and in your community. Email, yalibrary@gmail.com to sign up, or get more info.

Meetings would include, talk of recent book releases, program ideas, technology, and who doesn't love FREE food? Tell your friends, and email, yalibrary@gmail.com

Upcoming events at VHPL for teens

2011-10-01T10:22:00.000-07:00

Teen Gaming has been moved to Friday afternoons, from 3:30PM-5:00PM. Come out and enjoy some friendly competition on the Wii, with games such as Wii Sports Resort, Mario Party, and more. Or, come and play some board games, cards, or computer games. Laptops will be available for online gaming! Check it out, and tell your friends!

Teen Movie Nights are the first Thursday of every month from 6-7:30 (depending on the length of the movie). Our first showing will be Thursday, Oct. 6 from 5:30PM-7:45PM, and the movie is a new release about mutants with super powers. Can you guess the title? You will find signage revealing if you are right plastered around the teenspace, downstairs at VHPL.

August Events

2010-08-04T11:32:00.001-07:00

We have lots happening for teens this month at the Vineyard Haven Public Library. Starting August 5th, we have our Summer Gaming Tournament featuring prizes for playing Wii, board, and computer games. On August 12th, we are hosting a Summer Reading Program party for program participants. Sign up now, read away, and come collect your prizes! And at the end of the month we're holding our monthly YA Book/Movie Club. Copies are available at the front circulation desk and we'll be showing the movie on Thursday, August 26 at 6 pm.

Do you like ice cream sundaes?

2010-07-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

Sign up online and come enjoy make-your-own ice cream sundaes this Saturday, July 31 at 3 pm. YA author Matt DeBettencourt will visit and share the inspiration for his new book "The Island of Time."

Sign-up for Summer Reading

2010-06-23T06:50:00.001-07:00

Summer Reading begins Monday, June 28th. Sign up and receive a $5 fine coupon. Plus many more prizes and incentives as you read! Come to the library for more information.

We're on Facebook

2010-03-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

If you're a Facebook user, search for our page - Vineyard Haven YA Library - and become a fan. We will post everything that's happening for young adults there.

New Moon, book clubs and more....

2009-12-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

Last week we celebrated with a New Moon Pre-Release Party. We made heart-shaped jello, heart-shaped cookies, and heart-shaped ice cubes for our party punch. We listened to the New Moon soundtrack and competed in a couple trivia contests. Congratulations to our winners! Oh, and there were door prizes too.

This month we are reading "Journey to the Center of the Earth" by Jules Verne. We will be watching the movie by the same title on Thursday, December 3rd during our regularly scheduled Teen Night. Join us for some refreshments and come see the film on the big screen.

Our Teen Night continues on December 10th and 17th with Wii Games. Bring your own from home, or come play one of our games. Popcorn and refreshments are provided.

Please note our holiday hours on the 24th, 25th, 31st and 1st of January. TTFN.

Back to school...

2009-09-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

For Vineyarders, school starts next week. We will continue our regular Thursday evening programming for teens ages 12 and up. Stop by the library any Thursday night from 6 to 7:30 for different activities. Next week, we plan our Wii and games night. Computers are available for use as well. If you have suggestions for types of programming we should offer, let us know. We're open to your ideas.

Summer Reading ended on August 31st. If you haven't already, come in and collect your gift certificate prizes. Locate Emily or Kathy in the Children's Room or downstairs in the YA area. TTFN.

Summer Reading Continues...

2009-07-31T07:04:00.000-07:00

Our on-line Summer Reading Program continues through August 31st. Follow the links from our young adult page to sign-up. An added bonus: receive a $5 fine coupon on any VHPL fines in addition to the great gift certificates and prize drawings you can earn and/or win from our local businesses.

We also have our weekly book drawing. Next time you're in the library and downstairs in the young adult area, fill out the simple form and perhaps your name will be selected. We have a bunch of new paperback books to select from including manga titles as well as fun beach reads.

One last thing... our teen book club selection for August is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Many of you are required to read this for school. Why not pick up a copy at our circulation desk, read the book (it's a pretty quick read), and come watch the movie and briefly discuss the title. Or if you've already read the book, come join us to watch the movie on the big screen. We always have a nice selection of snacks and drinks as well as our ultimate favorite - popcorn! This month we meet on Wednesday, August 19th at 1 pm.

Hope to see you then. TTFN.

YA Anime Film Festival

2009-07-14T07:19:00.000-07:00

The Island libraries are jointly participating in a film festival featuring anime movies for our young adult patrons. The festival begins tomorrow and runs through July 20th.

The Vineyard Haven Public Library is featuring an animated full-length feature about a group of young fighter pilots and the exciting but endless war they are fighting. The film is being shown this Thursday, July 16th at 6 pm. The feature is a new realease and runs two hours. Please be sure to be at the library by 6 pm in order not to miss the beginning scenes.

The movies are geared towards ages 13 through 18. If you have any specific questions about scheduling or movie showings, contact the individual library directly. TTFN.

Summer Reading

2009-06-25T11:26:00.001-07:00

Our online Summer Reading Program for kids ages 12 and up starts Tuesday, June 30th. You can sign up and log on from any of the computers in the library or from your home computer. Just go to the Vineyard Haven Public Library website's teen page and follow the links from there.

We have a special incentive this year. Anyone ages 12 and up who signs up online will receive a $5 fine coupon from the Vineyard Haven Public Library. You may use the coupon any time; however, it can only be used on fines incurred for Vineyard Haven Public Library items and cannot be used to replace lost items.

We also have our regular reading incentives. This year we have gift certificates from Beadniks, Bob's Pizza, Mocha Mott's, MV Heart Boutique, and MV Movies. You can choose a gift certificate once you have completed and logged 5 books. After 10 books, you will be eligible for a prize drawing to win a $25 EduComp gift certificate. If you read 15, you will be able to choose another gift certificate. Just like last year, we offer the program in both July and August, you can start any time, and you can win lots of great gift certificates just for reading! TTFN

Summer is coming to the Vineyard

2009-05-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

We're gearing up for Summer here at the VHPL.

Every Thursday in July and August we offer Wii Games for 12-17 year olds. In addition, we reserve Friday afternoons for our 8-11 year olds. Check out our online events calendar on our home page or stop in the library for more details.

We are also deciding which books to read for our book club for 5th through 8th graders. Send an email to Emily, our youth programs coordinator, at elevett@clamsnet.org with your suggestions.

Also, sign-ups for our Summer Reading Program (our online version is for 7th graders and up) begin June 30th. Mark your calendars and start reading! We're out collecting prizes now.

Stay tuned here for more to come. TTFN.

Oh, to be a fairy tale princess. Or, not to be.

2009-04-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

This seems to be the week for fairy tale princesses...

I'm busy finishing The Princess Bride for our teen book club this coming Saturday. If you've read it, or would like to see the movie, come join us at 1 pm in the Program Room. The book is filled with wit and satire, so it's quite enjoyable. Share your thoughts with us on Saturday.

Yesterday we held a great program at the library for younger kids. A puppeteer presented her version of Cinderella as a woodland fairy princess. It was funny and light and the kids seemed to really enjoy it.

It's Celebrate Poetry Month so come on in, find Kathy (the children's librarian) or me, recite a poem, and be eligible to win a gift certificate. Shakespeare, anyone? TTFN.

Spring is here!

2009-03-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, Spring is finally coming to the Vineyard. Robins are out in search of worms, grass is beginnning to turn to a soft mossy green, and the trees are budding!

Here at the Vineyard Haven Public Library we are still offering lots of free programming for our teens. This past weekend we showed an award-winning documentary about a group of teens in a small town in Indiana. If you didn't get a chance to see it on our big screen, put yourself on reserve for it.

As a result of patron feedback we have started a book club for students in grades 6 through 8. We selected our first title last week. We are reading The Princess Bride by William Goldman. If you are interested, we have extra copies at the circulation desk upstairs. Come on in, ask for one, check it out and join us on Saturday, April 11 at 1 pm to discuss the book and watch the movie of the same title. Both are not to miss!

Mark your calendars now: join us at twilight on Friday, April 3 to see the highly-acclaimed, exceptionally popular movie based on the first book in Stephenie Meyer's best-selling series about a young girl and an ageless vampire. If you haven't seen it, you're in for a treat. If you have seen it, come watch it on our big screen! TTFN.

School Vacation Week

2009-02-24T07:13:00.000-08:00

It's school vacation week here on the Vineyard. Quite a few of our patrons are off-island enjoying warm weather south of the border or cold weather up North. For anyone staying here this week we have lots of stuff happening at the library. Here's a short list:

Movies and popcorn on Wednesday and Friday at 1 pm. Both are just released films geared for all ages. Stop in, get out of the cold, and enjoy!

Thursday evenings are for teens @ the library. Beginning at 6 pm, stop in and play Wii games. We just purchased Mario Kart and Summer Sports to add to our already expanding list of games. We also have laptops for playing on-line, checking email, or updating your social networking site.

We're excited to show the highly-anticipated film based on the book of the same title about a group of teens hanging out in New York City one evening trying to find their favorite band. We'll be showing the film on Sunday, March 1 at 2 pm. Popcorn included!

That's all for this week. Let us know if there are any programs you would like us to offer. Enjoy some well-deserved time off! TTFN.

Ready to ring in the New Year

2008-12-27T12:22:00.000-08:00

Ringing in the New Year is always exciting to me. It feels like an opportune time to turn a new leaf, to try something new, and to explore all of life's possibilities. Perhaps it has something to do with beginning a new calendar and realizing that summer is just around the corner.

I've been busy working on programming ideas for the coming year and always welcome your insight. Perhaps gaming isn't your thing?

We're beginning a knitting club on Saturdays for the second half of January. It seems like a good idea to come in, learn something new (or perfect something already familiar), and chat with others about knitting, books, music, or whatever comes to mind. I've started reading Friday Night Knitting Club in hopes of inspiring me to become a knitter.

And, if knitting doesn't work for me, or you, we have started up the Author of the Month series. Our featured author in January is Lisi Harrison. She wrote the Clique series of books. Really great titles, sort-of loathsome characters, but fairly light and fun reads for the 12 and up crowd. You can join us and tell us how much you liked or didn't like the books and we'll be showing the recently released film from the series. We also have a contest to determine who will be our February Author of the Month. Make a suggestion and you could win a gift certificate to a local shop! TTFN.

New Director

2008-03-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

The Library's new director, Amy, started last week. This is great news for the Y A Library because Amy will hire the new YA Librarian and that person will be in charge of ordering books and coming up with new programs. If you've noticed that we haven't gotten a lot of new material (especially the Manga) since Mary left it because there hasn't been anyone to order it. Amy and the new Y A Librarian will also decide how the laptops will circulate. We would be happy to hear your input about a new Y A Librarian as well as any program ideas.

Game night

2008-02-10T10:52:00.001-08:00

We've been using the laptops for Game Night, which is great because it gives people something to do while they wait for their turn on the Wii, and adds some variety to the gaming. DDR continues to be popular, and the Library has 2 more dance mats on order to maximise play. I wanted to get Rock Band - but EA doesn't make a Wii version - yet. We're looking into new games and are always opened to suggestion.

Red Glass / Laptop

2008-01-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow the Library plans to introduce laptop gaming to teen game night. We haven't decided which games to buy, so for now, it's on-line gaming. What games do you think the library should get? Do you think we should get gamefly and try out a lot of different games? Let us know what your favorites are.

Red Glass
Red Glass is the novel I'm reading about a Sophie, oversensitive teenage girl, and her experiences with the illegal immigrant 6 year-old that becomes part of her family.

In the novel, Sophie's stepfather locates Pablo's relatives in Mexico. After talking back and forth on the phone, the Mexican relatives decide that Pablo should stay in America with Sophie's family because he will have better opportunities there. Sophie's family decides to take a week long trip to Mexico, and let Pablo decide. What do you think? Is it better to be with your relatives in a place you know or is it better to have more opportunities? Do you think a six year old should decide this for himself or should the adults decide it for him?

New Games - New Books

2008-01-15T11:49:00.001-08:00

Gaming
Judging by the sounds coming out of the activities room, last Thursday's Teen Game Night was a lot of fun. We've got a Wii right now and laptop gaming is on it's way. What games do you think the library should get? What games do you think are good for multiple players?

Reading
I just started reading RED GLASS by Laura Resau.
The story is about the relationship between a teenage girl and the 6-year old illegal immigrant her family takes on as a foster child. Reading stories about characters whose circumstances are different than my own has always been the best way for me to learn about other cultures. It can start off as curiosity, but as I read on, I begin to understand different points of view. Has anyone else had this experience?

Happy New Year...almost

2007-12-29T12:24:00.001-08:00

2008. What will you resolve to read? Are you reading enough in school? Are you reading what you want in school? Check out the YA room for new titles. Make 2008 the year of the super heroe...

Spiderman: The Icon, a history of our webbed crusader, in coffee table form. It is one big book. Make sure you have a ride home.

What are you reading?

2007-12-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Happier. I liked it a lot. We forget, or I do, that we can make our own happidom if you will. I have Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes in my bag. I hope to have it read in a couple of days. Strikes me at the beginning, I've read three pages, that sometimes, we need to acknowledge we don't have much control over what parents do and yet they are a part of us always...down to the belly button (and maybe a big toe)

2007-11-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

What are we goina' talk about?

2007-11-13T08:32:00.000-08:00

Talk? Books, movies, books on tape, games, web, music, documentaries, itunes, magazines, current events. There is enough to 'read,' that we do not need to talk. not shushers, no siree. talk about reading. talk about writing. librarians like a little noise.