Cade Carey, Mooresville High School freshman, chose LOTR to sweep the championship and has won a copy of our Final Four competitors: Lord of the Rings, Cinder, I Am Number Four, and The Hunger Games!
Thanks to everyone who participated!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
And The Winner Is...
I'm thrilled to announce that the brilliant fantasy classic, Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien, is our big winner in this year's Battle of the Books!
Cade Carey, Mooresville High School freshman, chose LOTR to sweep the championship and has won a copy of our Final Four competitors: Lord of the Rings, Cinder, I Am Number Four, and The Hunger Games!
Thanks to everyone who participated!
Cade Carey, Mooresville High School freshman, chose LOTR to sweep the championship and has won a copy of our Final Four competitors: Lord of the Rings, Cinder, I Am Number Four, and The Hunger Games!
Thanks to everyone who participated!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Book Review: Colin Fischer
By Ashley Edward Miller and Zach Stentz
****
"Solving crime, one facial expression at a time."Colin Fischer is a young man entering his freshman year of high school. Colin has Asperger's syndrome, which is a high functioning form of autism. He is a brilliant student, excelling in many subjects, but he needs a chart to recognize facial expressions. He's very interested in how things work and why people do the things they do - he even keeps a journal of all his findings, with the plan to further investigate everything. Sherlock Holmes is a hero to him and he finds peace jumping on a trampoline.
Because Colin is so different, he tends to get bullied. In fact, he gets swirlied by his most constant bully, Wayne, on the first day of school. But then something happens early in the school year that Wayne is blamed for, but Colin knows for a fact that Wayne didn't do it. He just has to figure out who did it: to investigate the crime like Sherlock would.
This was a fantastic book. Despite some of the events that take place, the book maintains a light tone. It's a fun who-dun-it that touches on important subject matter, and also teaches the reader, without getting to dark or preachy. I really enjoyed reading this and highly recommend it to teen AND adult readers, cuz it's awesome!
Manga Review: The Earl and the Fairy Vol. 1
By Ayuko (Illustrator), Mizue Tani
**
This series takes place in historical England - I don't recall exactly when, maybe the Victorian era? - and follows a young woman who is a Fairy Doctor and is tasked with finding an artifact for a young man who claims that his ancestors are from the fairy world. So the Fairy Doctor is one of the few people who can actually see people and creatures from the fairy world, when everyday humans are not only unable to see them, but don't believe in them either. Adventures ensue.
Ok, so here's the deal. I didn't really like this story. I have heard this term used in relation to other stories: "too stupid to live." This phrase describes a character, usually female, that is praised in the narration and by other characters, but the character's actions are the antithesis of that praise. They're basically the character that everyone says is so smart, and then doesn't look both ways before crossing the street and gets hit by a car. The "heroine" of this story fits that bill. She was kidnapped in the first half of the book...twice. Then she's hanging out with the second kidnapper, thinking he's a rescuer, then a kidnapper, then a nice guy, then the enemy, then she should escape, and then she should help him and BAH, SHUT UP ALREADY!
So yeah, not a fan of the story, but the artwork is nice. Hence the two stars instead of just one.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Meg-A-Rae Episode 25: A Very Special Valentine's Day Episode
In this episode of Meg-A-Rae, Meg loves love and I hate love. So Meg reviews Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer and I review Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry. Meg get's all gooey with the romance (though there IS a hitman in her book, so it's not overly gooey) and I get emo about zombies and blood and guts (though there's a lot of heart in R&R, no pun intended).
In reality, I prefer romance and Meg prefers horror, so please remember whilst viewing this episode that WE ARE ACTING! Enjoy!
Death plants.
Meg-A-Rae Episode 24: A Very Special Mardi Gras Episode
In this episode of Meg-A-Rae, we're celebrating Mardi Gras! Meg discusses the Queen of New Orleans, Anne Rice, and her numerous novels, and I talk about The Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor. Now DoSaB isn't exactly a novel about Mardi Gras, nor does it take place in New Orleans, but the cover does have a lovely mask that feels very festive and appropriate for the holiday. Plus, at some point in the video, I don a blue wig in honor of Karou, the heroine of the story.
Be sure to check out our next Valentine's themed episode! It's a great one for lovers AND haters of the holiday.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Happy Valentine's Day! OR Boo Anti-Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day is one of those mixed emotion holidays.
Some people love it...
And other people...not so much.
So I'm going to appeal to the pro-love and anti-love day people by providing books for ANY mood.
First up, Pro Icky Love Stuff Book List:
This is by no means a complete list, but just a few good titles to get you started. Also worth checking out, but neglected by this list is anything by Sarah Dessen.
To get you in the mood, check out this book trailer made by moi of Anna and the French Kiss. It's about love and stuff in Paris!
Now, for those of you who think Valentine's Day is just the candy corporations' made-up holiday designed to make people buy chocolate, then check out these great Zombie and Monster novels. Eat your heart out? They don't mind if they do!
Again, this is not a complete list, but it's a good one! To get you in the mood, check out this other book trailer made by moi of Rot & Ruin. It's about a zombie apocalypse and a zombie-hunter ninja!
So, Happy Valentine's Day OR Happy Chocolate-Eating-Thursday!
Some people love it...
And other people...not so much.
So I'm going to appeal to the pro-love and anti-love day people by providing books for ANY mood.
First up, Pro Icky Love Stuff Book List:
| Populazzi | Allen, Elise |
| Dreamland Social Club | Altebrando, Tara |
| The Story of Us | Caletti, Deb |
| Keep Holding On | Colasanti, Susane |
| The Almost Truth | Cook, Eileen |
| In the Shadow of the Lamp | Dunlap, Susanne |
| Speechless | Harrington, Hannah |
| If I Lie | Jackson, Corrine |
| Never Enough | Jaden, Denise |
| Small Damages | Kephart, Beth |
| Catherine | Lindner, April |
| Jane | Lindner, April |
| Caleb + Kate | Martinusen-Coloma, Cindy |
| Red Heart Tattoo | McDaniel, Lurlene |
| Pushing the Limits | McGarry, Katie |
| The Boy Recession | Meaney, Flynn |
| Meant to Be | Morrill, Lauren |
| Anna and the French Kiss | Perkins, Stephanie |
| Smart Girls Get What They Want | Strohmeyer, Sarah |
| Love & Leftovers | Tregay, Sarah |
| Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff that Made Me Famous | Williams, Kathryn |
This is by no means a complete list, but just a few good titles to get you started. Also worth checking out, but neglected by this list is anything by Sarah Dessen.
To get you in the mood, check out this book trailer made by moi of Anna and the French Kiss. It's about love and stuff in Paris!
Now, for those of you who think Valentine's Day is just the candy corporations' made-up holiday designed to make people buy chocolate, then check out these great Zombie and Monster novels. Eat your heart out? They don't mind if they do!
| Enclave (Razorland #1) | Aguirre, Ann |
| Zombie Queen of Newbury High | Ashby, Amanda |
| The Infects | Beaudoin, Sean |
| Ashes (Ashes Trilogy, #1) | Bick, Ilsa |
| Zombies Vs. Unicorns | Black, Holly (et al) |
| Something Strange and Deadly | Dennard, Susan |
| Zombies Don't Cry: A Living Dead Love Story | Fischer, Rusty |
| Z | Ford, Michael Thomas |
| Pride and Prejudice and Zombies | Grahame-Smith, Seth |
| Bad Taste in Boys (Kate Grable #1) | Harris, Carrie |
| Zombie Blondes | James, Brian |
| Rot & Ruin (Benny Imura, #1) | Maberry, Jonathan |
| Warm Bodies | Marion, Isaac |
| Bonechiller | McNamee, Graham |
| A Monster Calls | Ness, Patrick |
| iZombie (Vol 1-4) | Roberson, Chris |
| The Forest of Hands and Teeth | Ryan, Carrie |
| ZOM-B | Shan, Darren |
| Frankenstein | Shelley, Mary |
| Generation Dead (Generation Dead, #1) | Waters, Daniel |
| The Monstrumologist (Monstrumologist #1) | Yancey, Rick |
Again, this is not a complete list, but it's a good one! To get you in the mood, check out this other book trailer made by moi of Rot & Ruin. It's about a zombie apocalypse and a zombie-hunter ninja!
So, Happy Valentine's Day OR Happy Chocolate-Eating-Thursday!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Battle of the Books
Voting for Round Two is open from Monday, April 8 - Saturday, April 13. Check this page each week for new voting links.
Get to know the four districts:
Panem - Post-Apocalyptic & Dystopian District
These are books that take place in the future, either after a major Earth catastrophe or where the government has declared certain laws that make the world a bad place to live (and sometimes both). Think Hunger Games or The Maze Runner.
New Beijing - Sci-Fi & Fantasy District
These are books that take place in different worlds and include magic or they have amazing technology (and sometimes aliens). Think I Am Number Four or Eragon.
Sherwood Forest - Contemporary & Historical District
These books either take place in the present or in the past, generally with regular people without special powers or abilities. Think The Perks of Being a Wallflower or Scarlet (a retelling of Robin Hood).
Pandemonium Club - Paranormal & Urban Fantasy
These books are very similar. Paranormal stories focus on human and non-human characters (like vampires, werewolves, ghosts, etc.). Urban Fantasy often has similar supernatural character elements to Paranormal stories, but these take place in a specific city setting. Think City of Bones (urban fantasy) or Beautiful Creatures (paranormal).
Click the link to vote!
Cinder VS Lord of the Rings
Get to know the four districts:
Panem - Post-Apocalyptic & Dystopian District
These are books that take place in the future, either after a major Earth catastrophe or where the government has declared certain laws that make the world a bad place to live (and sometimes both). Think Hunger Games or The Maze Runner.
New Beijing - Sci-Fi & Fantasy District
These are books that take place in different worlds and include magic or they have amazing technology (and sometimes aliens). Think I Am Number Four or Eragon.
Sherwood Forest - Contemporary & Historical District
These books either take place in the present or in the past, generally with regular people without special powers or abilities. Think The Perks of Being a Wallflower or Scarlet (a retelling of Robin Hood).
Pandemonium Club - Paranormal & Urban Fantasy
These books are very similar. Paranormal stories focus on human and non-human characters (like vampires, werewolves, ghosts, etc.). Urban Fantasy often has similar supernatural character elements to Paranormal stories, but these take place in a specific city setting. Think City of Bones (urban fantasy) or Beautiful Creatures (paranormal).
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Teen Tech Week - QR Code Scavenger Hunt
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to come to the library sometime between Monday, March 11th and Friday, March 15th and search for QR codes hidden throughout the library. Grab a handout from the Teen Librarian's desk and list all of the sites the QR codes take you to. When you're done, turn in the handout to the Teen Librarian or one of the Children's Librarians. At the end of the week I'll review all of the handouts and collect the names of everyone who got all the right answers. I'll randomly draw a name from this group and that person will win a $25 dollar gift card to their choice of Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or iTunes.
What: QR Code Scavenger Hunt
Where: Mooresville Public Library
When: March 11 to March 15 during open hours
How: Download a free QR code app to your smart phone and scan the codes hidden throughout the library. The codes will take you to a website of my choosing. Write down the information from the website on the handout provided at the Teen Librarian's desk in the YAZ. Once completed, turn the handout in to the Teen Librarian or one of the Children's Librarians.
Why: 1) To celebrate Teen Tech Week at MPL, 2) Because it's fun, and 3) You could win a prize!
Happy Hunting!
Meg-A-Rae Episode 23: A Very Special Tekkie Episode
On this week's episode of Meg-A-Rae, Meg and I discuss Technology! Technology non-fiction available at the library, technology services (like checking out library e-books and researching with library databases) provided by the library, and technology themed books that are awesome to read! Meg reviews Robopocalypse by Daniel Wilson (a great adult read with crossover potential for our older teens). I review Cinder by Marissa Meyer (a great teen read with crossover potential for adults).
Join us next week as we celebrate MARDI GRAS!!!
P.S. Teen Tech Week is coming March 10-16th!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Teen Tech Week Book Lists: Part 4 - Time Travel
In honor of Teen Tech Week, I've put together a series of book lists that fit the technology theme. These lists include Technology, Sci-Fi, Steampunk, and Time Travel.
This is the last list in the series: TIME TRAVEL (aka Timey Wimey)
(Note: this list doesn't cover the vast number of titles that fit the Time Travel description; these are titles selected from MPL's collection. Also, some titles may be repeated on multiple lists!)
| Crewel (Crewel World #1) | Albin, Gennifer |
| The Future of Us | Asher, Jay and Carolyn Mackler |
| London Calling | Bloor, Edward |
| Pathfinder (Pathfinder series) | Card, Orson Scott |
| So Close to You | Carter, Rachel |
| Ruby Red | Gier, Kerstin |
| Through to You | Hainsworth, Emily |
| The Obsidian Blade | Hautman, Pete |
| Erasing Time (Erasing Time #1) | Hill, C.J. |
| Firestorm (Caretaker Trilogy) | Klass, David |
| hourglass | McEntire, Myra |
| The Curse of the Romanovs | Rabin, Staton |
| Time Riders | Scarrow, Alex |
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