tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84640610199586922772024-02-07T12:19:02.762-08:00Reba RecommendsHi! I'm Reba and I'm lucky enough to be a Young Adult Librarian in the Boston, MA area. I enjoy reading all kinds of books, but I have a special love for Young Adult literature. I'm more than happy to recommend books, and I love having them recommended to me! If you have a favorite book or a comment on something that I've written, post your comment or question and I'll do my best to respond to it.Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-11853436674874794762011-11-01T10:11:00.000-07:002011-11-01T10:12:46.059-07:00Caletti Comes Through<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCvqfvUejJZnLhU_xyBp96UcXTOAQqefNluWCee2pAfeBwrLXGHx1ZJRi4qrqltOkuJwaTGIXWnQ2gubowN5xiExBfpm_1QkNilYxld8yka5CMUQmXdc2W8W9vHcZFaVqOM6LGnMK2A/s1600/stay-by-deb-caletti-196x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCvqfvUejJZnLhU_xyBp96UcXTOAQqefNluWCee2pAfeBwrLXGHx1ZJRi4qrqltOkuJwaTGIXWnQ2gubowN5xiExBfpm_1QkNilYxld8yka5CMUQmXdc2W8W9vHcZFaVqOM6LGnMK2A/s320/stay-by-deb-caletti-196x300.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br />
You know how there are some books you read that change your life? <i>Honey, Baby, Sweetheart</i> by Deb Caletti was one of those books for me. When I was in Graduate School for Library Science, I figured that I would become either a Science Librarian or a Children's Librarian. I loved, loved, loved Children's Literature. But, life is funny like that. Long story short, I ended up working as a High School Librarian, and one of the first young adult books I remember reading was <i>Honey, Baby, Sweetheart</i> by Caletti. I adored it. I felt like I had discovered a whole new world. I know, that sounds all dramatic and cheesey, but it's true. And so my love affair with YA Lit was born.<br />
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Since then, I have found other authors and books, but I never forgot Deb Caletti. <i>Stay</i> was published this past Spring, and I finally got around to reading it. My verdict? Excellent! <i>Stay</i> examines a relationship gone bad due to obsession, and addresses some very serious situations and issues. The main character, Clara is portrayed in an extremely realistic fashion, flaws and all. I like that Caletti does not try to give this book a neat, tidy ending, nor does she try to make her characters perfect. If anyone has ever questioned a bad relationship they find themselves in, this book could be an invaluable read.Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-23661038949576830422011-10-19T17:29:00.000-07:002011-10-19T17:29:01.304-07:00Little but......packs a powerful punch. This is how I feel about two books I recently read; <i>Dorp Dead</i> by Julia Cunningham and <i>Kat's Fall</i> by Shelley Hrdlitschka. I found both books on the shelf by chance, as I was shelving other books and they caught my eye. <i>Dorp Dead</i> almost reads like a fable, but has an eerie undertone. Here is a product description that I pulled off amazon.com; <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHLBaXk_8KyQyCqE-asQrqjHcGiy5oDHxZoLRa9eP3ZJwFAZQOd8wPvgJ_CiFJB1x2FOkqNj93rxGTsA8A0Gb5aUV4VZGo8S6LMpv8DMZfcJPK_wJcAKmVd7vVkFXEc79JkuVysa8sA/s1600/dorp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHLBaXk_8KyQyCqE-asQrqjHcGiy5oDHxZoLRa9eP3ZJwFAZQOd8wPvgJ_CiFJB1x2FOkqNj93rxGTsA8A0Gb5aUV4VZGo8S6LMpv8DMZfcJPK_wJcAKmVd7vVkFXEc79JkuVysa8sA/s200/dorp.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>"A reissue of the novel that dramatically changed children’s literature in the 20th century. Julia Cunningham’s ground-breaking novel, first published in 1965 and unavailable in any edition for a decade, is reissued for a whole new generation of readers to call their own. “Here . . . is the story of a boy who discovers himself, who basically comes to grips with that most contemporary of problems, the isolation of the individual. It is told within the near-classic framework of the story of the orphan who survives and escapes maltreatment to find love, but it is told in frank, literate terms in the lingo of today’s youngsters. And it has, as an additional dimension, a touch of the Gothic tale, a tinge of terror and a shade of romanticism.” (The New York Herald Tribune) <br />
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Well...needless to say, between the cover, the shortness of the book and that description, I couldn't wait to read this book. Overall? I would recommend this title. It is written with honesty and intelligence, and it's nice to read a book that does not talk down to the young adult audience. It also gives you that creepy feeling, which is perfect for this time of year! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOl_RcDozrPxWnhzMt8adQumGsgk746PH61HDOgvvVA3z4w89wf_uaJ3DlqrrTamyMFZ6CHllN5x0rQ-juavSDGMksphcbrA4Zz4rpsIm-AH05Q67gYr3R_dGDB6_TrhHh_OHpGe-fA/s1600/kats-fall-shelley-hrdlitschka-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOl_RcDozrPxWnhzMt8adQumGsgk746PH61HDOgvvVA3z4w89wf_uaJ3DlqrrTamyMFZ6CHllN5x0rQ-juavSDGMksphcbrA4Zz4rpsIm-AH05Q67gYr3R_dGDB6_TrhHh_OHpGe-fA/s200/kats-fall-shelley-hrdlitschka-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>Then there was <em>Kat's Fall</em>. This book? So much going on. This is a must read if you are one of those readers that likes "drama" and realistic fiction. I couldn't believe how many issues and emotions the main character Darcy (a boy!) was dealing with. It's impressive that Hrdlitschka packs all this into such a small book with a decent conclusion to boot! I will caution that this book does deal with some very serious issues including cutting, child abuse and addiction.Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-15127187702370793972011-10-05T08:20:00.000-07:002011-10-05T08:20:01.153-07:00Picture Perfect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfdTPFwM4FrBMmvZiTro7FWnJyZHMrsCCHbyM9-4Z6A_y3afqsJQf2l5wKnxKOMNG6ZgaF2tYM5SpMVV9ZCWlGLL1tMTMISe9fLkP8E7s2FMRDIMAjuWntkSDI2wTKDHtzweDchyb7A/s1600/The+Dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfdTPFwM4FrBMmvZiTro7FWnJyZHMrsCCHbyM9-4Z6A_y3afqsJQf2l5wKnxKOMNG6ZgaF2tYM5SpMVV9ZCWlGLL1tMTMISe9fLkP8E7s2FMRDIMAjuWntkSDI2wTKDHtzweDchyb7A/s320/The+Dead.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>A novel of Historical Fiction? A Ghost Story? A Romance? This book is another entry in the cross-genre category. <i>Picture the Dead</i> is a novel by Adele Griffin and illustrated by Lisa Brown, set primarily in Boston during the Civil War. The main character Jennie has just suffered the loss of her fiancee Will to the war, and is living a miserable existence with his family, who are also her Aunt and Uncle and serve as her guardians. The one bright spot is Will's brother Quinn who has come back from the war injured, and is slowly recovering. Jennie becomes convinced that the ghost of Will is haunting her, and becomes involved with a photographer who claims to capture images from the Spirit World. What follows is as much of a mystery as it is a ghost story as Jennie struggles to understand who she can trust and what really happened to Will and Quinn. I wouldn't say that I disliked this book, but I didn't love it. It was OK. Jennie has an odd habit of kleptomania that is never really explained, and made me like her a little less as a person. At times it was hard to empathize with her, but I kept trying. This might be a good book to read for this month, if you're looking for a little spookiness with some history thrown in for good measure. Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-33328604697767293592011-09-20T15:51:00.000-07:002011-09-20T15:51:16.074-07:00Showing my Age<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kKL8MrmqOfHoRK6x1jUwo1mFdVKIYyrVV4aTVftOkpAZgPFz4RhRKHlSpXLHuGazzE2R6pDtQLo2QTZ9DKK6Z59eXUNsyb0FZugROCZ-nBDNdqkwD4Ra5B4EEdG_iJ2MHMnHm7q_tw/s1600/fruits+basket+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kKL8MrmqOfHoRK6x1jUwo1mFdVKIYyrVV4aTVftOkpAZgPFz4RhRKHlSpXLHuGazzE2R6pDtQLo2QTZ9DKK6Z59eXUNsyb0FZugROCZ-nBDNdqkwD4Ra5B4EEdG_iJ2MHMnHm7q_tw/s200/fruits+basket+3.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>Well my friends, I tried. OK, I'm still trying, but it's killing me. I just read the third <i>Fruits Baskets </i>and I'm so sorry, but I didn't love it. I feel like the series is getting old for me already. It's the same story, just retold a little bit differently. And this is going to go on for 23 volumes? Seriously. Yikes. Maybe you have to be of a certain age to appreciate this series, and I am just too old. I don't know. I may try Volume 4 eventually, but I think I'm going to take a break.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDpIjb-dJOHs1zoC1kmFhdP-WvrDAYqj7a1KKuSVLXOT4AL0dybar86DxYyCQMcfry1xfoMu9JP4sO5cBqGn3pZcBkH3g9oGmuNdpiyAoq91EDjtaewn22uO8CNtdFXHrtuGWU492AA/s1600/theodore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDpIjb-dJOHs1zoC1kmFhdP-WvrDAYqj7a1KKuSVLXOT4AL0dybar86DxYyCQMcfry1xfoMu9JP4sO5cBqGn3pZcBkH3g9oGmuNdpiyAoq91EDjtaewn22uO8CNtdFXHrtuGWU492AA/s200/theodore.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><br />
...And then there's <i>Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer</i> by John Grisham. Really? This is what everyone has been raving about? I just don't get it. It was OK, but I definitely did not love it. Again, maybe it was a little too young for me. All I know is there is a major cliffhanger ending, and I have no urgency to read the next book. It seemed so unrealistic and at times, downright silly (and not like funny, ha). That's right. I'm calling it unrealistic. Yeah, this from the girl who loves paranormal stories. When I was reading this, I was strongly reminded of one of my childhood heroes, Encyclopedia Brown. And Theodore Boone, I''m sorry, but you're no Encyclopedia Brown. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-69997581886082315252011-09-13T17:48:00.000-07:002011-09-13T17:48:09.714-07:00Dead Right...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrqmVCFODQaqRASRl4GAdfHyFLxD3IqeOBiQBslRQzA4EzuKAdFrX8nzGrkPWC1tDjkCh5xrCVL7L3VGQTg0llxTrpMjxYb20cSO-lMPT-YpEtL1SAUbxmbZ1atixnYz0ffvKLYQebw/s1600/morgue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrqmVCFODQaqRASRl4GAdfHyFLxD3IqeOBiQBslRQzA4EzuKAdFrX8nzGrkPWC1tDjkCh5xrCVL7L3VGQTg0llxTrpMjxYb20cSO-lMPT-YpEtL1SAUbxmbZ1atixnYz0ffvKLYQebw/s200/morgue.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Boy Books Part II. Just read <i>The Morgue and Me</i> by John C. Ford. Most Excellent. Well, mostly excellent. There are some parts that require you to suspend disbelief, but go for it. This is a fast-paced, edgy mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. The premise? The summer before he heads off to college, Christoper gets a job in the morgue. Creepy? Morbid? Or just dead boring? Christopher's job seems pretty uneventful until he witnesses something he shouldn't. With a Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew flair, he decides to solve the "case" with the help of a young (hot! & female!) news reporter named Tina. From the dynamic opening to the surprise ending, this book is the perfect choice for mystery/thriller fans.Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-44621118177940543482011-09-07T14:00:00.000-07:002011-09-07T14:04:43.298-07:00A herd, a colony, a swarm, a flock....<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just like Lady Gaga (okay, maybe not <i>just like</i>) I have spent some time recently getting in touch with my masculine side. My next two books to review? Clearly boy books. Written by men, for boys with lots of boy/man characters. First up? <i>Ostrich Boys </i>by Keith Gray. Here's a synopsis of the book.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-IF3xpkEjn9CfAkRbMgLCurJHFR_ZYQOKPYPguKuudJReAr2220XsqqejAxb8XlGGvyNWGS79SKNl4F4Gdqa4Bh877rMuLtUGi8mfLjN3GCsMvSNDv9Gm4HfiDDzfeqeo-zlNbS7aA/s1600/ostrich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-IF3xpkEjn9CfAkRbMgLCurJHFR_ZYQOKPYPguKuudJReAr2220XsqqejAxb8XlGGvyNWGS79SKNl4F4Gdqa4Bh877rMuLtUGi8mfLjN3GCsMvSNDv9Gm4HfiDDzfeqeo-zlNbS7aA/s200/ostrich.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><span id="freeText5286007824521139621"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">'It's not really kidnapping, is it? He'd have to be alive for it to be proper kidnapping.' Kenny, Sim and Blake are about to embark on a remarkable journey of friendship. Stealing the urn containing the ashes of their best friend Ross, they set out from Cleethorpes on the east coast to travel the 261 miles to the tiny hamlet of Ross in Dumfries and Galloway. After a depressing and dispiriting funeral they feel taking Ross to Ross will be a fitting memorial for a 15 year-old boy who changed all their lives through his friendship. Little do they realise just how much Ross can still affect life for them even though he's now dead.'</span></span><br />
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<span id="freeText5286007824521139621"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This book has been on my "to-read" list for ages. And now? I didn't love it. It was OK, and it had an interesting twist at the ending. But overall, it kind of let me down. And, it had a ton of British slang that distracted me as I was reading. That being said, it was nice to read a book that focused on guys and their friendships. Oh, and the title of the blog entry? A reference Sim's quirky skill of knowing almost every specialized name for groups of animals. It adds a fun element to the book, and gets you thinking! </span> </span></span>Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-36547095160561893152011-09-01T10:57:00.000-07:002011-09-01T10:57:35.150-07:00Don't ignore this book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i>Please ignore Vera Dietz </i>by A.S. King was a 2011 Michael L. Printz honor book. (The Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature is an honor given each year by the American Library Association.) I don't always necessarily like, agree with, or read all of the winners and honor books, but this one intrigued me. The first thing I read on the book jacket flap when I opened the cover was, "Is it okay to hate a dead kid? Even if I loved him once? Even if he was my best friend? Is it okay to hate him for being dead?" Done. I was hooked! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Please ignore Vera Dietz</i> is not an easy book to read. The characters, especially Vera, are dealing with some serious, heavy issues, and there aren't necessarily any easy answers. There is some strong language, sexual situations and underage drinking, so I would not recommend this book to younger readers. However, I would highly recommend it to older readers. I love Vera, she is such a real and honest character with a strong voice. I even love the way the book is written, shifting perspectives and giving different characters a chance to talk and share their point of view. This book is in turns raw, honest, open, funny, frustrating and heartbreaking, and should most definitely not be ignored. </div><br />
Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-14998877009975890652011-08-30T11:20:00.000-07:002011-08-30T11:20:51.442-07:00Addicted to DramaThanks Melissa de la Cruz for my dose of summer fun, drama and escapism. I'm starting to think that no one does crazy YA fluff like de la Cruz. Her books are so fun, and highly addictive.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Girl Stays in the Picture </i>is no exception. It's the story of Devon, a teen pop-star sensation fresh out of rehab, hoping to make her big comeback filming a movie in St. Tropez. Casey & Livia round out the trio of girls, and bring their own stories, drama and perspectives to the book. Get one last fix of summer fun by checking out this book. The only bad part? It ends in a major cliffhanger and de la Cruz hasn't published a sequel yet!! </div>Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-4079887675610588572011-08-22T09:02:00.000-07:002011-08-22T09:02:46.392-07:00On a Serious Note<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> I know, I read a lot of books that are fun, fluffy and light. But every now and then, I try to balance it all out.<i> Suite Francaise</i> by Irene Nemirovsky was recommended to me a few years ago, and I finally read it. <span id="freeText6060349092560213483">Irene Nemirovsky began working on this novel in the early 1940's while living in Paris, where she was a successful writer, but also a Russian Jew. What makes this story especially poignant is that in 1942, Irene was arrested and deported to Auschwitz: a month later she was dead at the age of thirty-nine.</span><span id="freeText6060349092560213483"> </span><span id="freeText6060349092560213483">When she was arrested, she had completed two parts of her story, and her daughters took the manuscript with them into hiding.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsl0qhy6brjnnk44-4jl4iN4temUjBG_iA9Hh2KOHC2YzFUJTqhcJ2wAwm9nccS5WP8Pr0VXEakXTIHVja6bN2kbOLiiHiq-wsnrBMtUueEUoOUb0-LQfOorvdOfjTz2s-W-_0aSbhA/s1600/Suite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsl0qhy6brjnnk44-4jl4iN4temUjBG_iA9Hh2KOHC2YzFUJTqhcJ2wAwm9nccS5WP8Pr0VXEakXTIHVja6bN2kbOLiiHiq-wsnrBMtUueEUoOUb0-LQfOorvdOfjTz2s-W-_0aSbhA/s200/Suite.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><span id="freeText6060349092560213483">Fast forward sixty-four years later and Irene's work has finally been published and translated. This novel follow the stories of several groups of people as France is occupied by the Nazi's during World War II. If you're looking for a clear, succinct novel with a definitive ending, this is not the book for you. This novel is more of a narrative, not quite stream-of-consciousness, but comprised of several vignettes, loosely connected. There is not really an "ending", but I feel that this book is invaluable in capturing the essence of a people, of a nation, as they face the unthinkable. This book is not a Young Adult book, it is categorized as adult fiction and deals with mature themes and events. However, anyone with an interest in History, especially that of WWII, would benefit from reading this. </span><br />
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</span>Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-81647695066728021952011-08-18T16:28:00.000-07:002011-08-18T16:28:46.622-07:00Wicked Lies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXn9IGcSPi-3vbacZxlqWW9cTKs6ET3dmCBf1TGx5gFdJGtimmDNVsr6VCplppWYgxHX_sMZCpCcECn1h-na-X6CLwFPiNMIVPeYJDJCzHPdgiYVEndY7XLIubSa16ruiWFV4zE0fWhg/s1600/wicked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXn9IGcSPi-3vbacZxlqWW9cTKs6ET3dmCBf1TGx5gFdJGtimmDNVsr6VCplppWYgxHX_sMZCpCcECn1h-na-X6CLwFPiNMIVPeYJDJCzHPdgiYVEndY7XLIubSa16ruiWFV4zE0fWhg/s320/wicked.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>Oh Sara Shepard, you've done it again. Dragged me right back in to the drama of Aria, Hanna, Spencer and Emily. It's crazy, silly, melodramatic, and I'm embarrassed that I can't get enough. I just finished <i>Wicked (Pretty Little Liars #5)</i>. I've heard through the Grapevine that Ms. Shepard should have left well enough alone, and not added four more books to her previous series of eight. I guess now I have seven more books to read and not three. I feel like I'm in for a penny, in for a pound, so I'll read them, but I'm not really happy about it. I hate it when a series drags on for too long, and I feel like now, this series is just being milked for the money it can make, not for the quality of the writing. I know that I shouldn't be too hasty to judge, so I'll reserve any harsh comments or criticism and hope to continue to be pleasantly surprised by this series. Maybe when I'm done, I'll go back and watch the TV Series.....Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-82334716149974401792011-08-17T11:16:00.000-07:002011-08-17T11:16:30.867-07:00Frankly Scarlett...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBPV0L7Umy0Neii2ivzcd-_yapGheF4iyyJKV3VmyETKWSKaqqzAj6kw0f5wQlqWW6Q7fvjFlQM39ak_XurosmWFjdEsl0WxLKGvmJz6I4xgER57W7GAJW0FnK_bjEPSKqepTUJscHw/s1600/book-scarlettfever_cvr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBPV0L7Umy0Neii2ivzcd-_yapGheF4iyyJKV3VmyETKWSKaqqzAj6kw0f5wQlqWW6Q7fvjFlQM39ak_XurosmWFjdEsl0WxLKGvmJz6I4xgER57W7GAJW0FnK_bjEPSKqepTUJscHw/s200/book-scarlettfever_cvr.jpg" width="128" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcevl5hmX2vPZ55pahdkjGbkrQVwUcBUrxQ5D-Bi6yCWWAkPyidRx3tlnGC8C_BCy9s5uWEjrYLIHGHrlQq5uPFQhntF8dBKU-hSG3i6OscbIrmJ3JkrQZsR8wnUp5EPDZbewXnXH-g/s1600/scarlett2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcevl5hmX2vPZ55pahdkjGbkrQVwUcBUrxQ5D-Bi6yCWWAkPyidRx3tlnGC8C_BCy9s5uWEjrYLIHGHrlQq5uPFQhntF8dBKU-hSG3i6OscbIrmJ3JkrQZsR8wnUp5EPDZbewXnXH-g/s200/scarlett2.jpg" width="135" /></a>...I do give a damn! I loved <i>Scarlett Fever</i>, the sequel to Maureen Johnson's <i>Suite Scarlett</i>. It was very well done. It's always nice to revisit characters that you liked so much the first time around. This time, Scarlett & Family are back and better than ever. If you're looking for a fun series with great characters, look no further! Ooh, and one more thing. Let's talk about cover art. I'm going to put both cover versions on either side of my text. Which one do you like better? Which cover would you pick up? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-20406661126475328012011-08-11T10:51:00.000-07:002011-08-11T10:51:50.995-07:00Shifting Gears<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiObya3HpUYGWyFS8etJ_ffeO7q4NZZVH9tejLtm6iLSLyVinfOFA_QhHeft2aggz4z4nJFUMv_KUC67CcJ21DB0pTJMroxJ_cQVJHPuk4H-rvd5uKL9HMr9dJ_4JL-eFU41xWJtqZcQ/s1600/shift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiObya3HpUYGWyFS8etJ_ffeO7q4NZZVH9tejLtm6iLSLyVinfOFA_QhHeft2aggz4z4nJFUMv_KUC67CcJ21DB0pTJMroxJ_cQVJHPuk4H-rvd5uKL9HMr9dJ_4JL-eFU41xWJtqZcQ/s200/shift.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>So, I finally tackled the book <i>Shift</i> by Jennifer Bradbury. This has been on my radar for a few years. In fact, I actually started the first chapter like 2 years ago. I know, craziness. So, what took me so long to finally read the whole thing? Who knows, but I'm glad that I did. This book is definitely a "boy" book. The main protagonist Chris has just started college when the FBI shows up, wanting to know what happened to his friend Win. Chris & Win had taken the summer to ride their bikes Cross Country, but got into a fight towards the end of the trip and separated. Chris assumed Win made it back, but it looks like he was wrong. So what really happened to Win and does Chris know more than he's letting on? This book is part mystery, part coming-of-age novel, and just plain good. Read it! Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-17950243037115310842011-08-09T13:19:00.000-07:002011-08-09T13:19:15.545-07:00Tiger Beat Teenage DreamOK. I admit, this post is going to show my age. I just read <i>Stories I only tell my Friends: an Autobiography</i> by Rob Lowe. (Dreamy sigh) Oh that Rob Lowe, what a heartthrob. You can keep your Jonas Brothers, Taylor Lautner and Justin Bieber. I'll take The Brat Pack any day. The Book? Not bad. Some amusing anecdotes and fun stories. More than anything, it seems like Rob Lowe was the King of being in the right place at the right time. This book was a fun, good diversion, just perfect for a summer read. Read this if Young Hollywood of the 1980's & 1990's interests you.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5WYxlgKE6GvhILpCU5oigsBB0EcsP54Og6UMZIB-T1TRtSRpKplq2xfDnUSq4QiSm_zT43nzmBUMg4EmVEiNO3ITwTOBAStVeXnKo64mYPDOOHMbohh6V-mM5irVVre_sTTKJOEZZA/s1600/stories-i-only-tell-my-friends-autobiography-rob-lowe-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5WYxlgKE6GvhILpCU5oigsBB0EcsP54Og6UMZIB-T1TRtSRpKplq2xfDnUSq4QiSm_zT43nzmBUMg4EmVEiNO3ITwTOBAStVeXnKo64mYPDOOHMbohh6V-mM5irVVre_sTTKJOEZZA/s200/stories-i-only-tell-my-friends-autobiography-rob-lowe-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><br />
Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-52535452563603875672011-07-28T09:09:00.000-07:002011-07-28T09:09:39.506-07:00Vintage Dessen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iT9UUlFiRYb4KSW_oEzyPJChG4VKCJ0DRjzM9iaSvtkLjI-TfaK9AR0XaXOSsrxwOMDR5ylRxYkQYPDTQr0a07M4rMN14YFYVbl4t1k1Llw_npPvKQeVaYvcna8CUZCbHczf3Nrq5A/s1600/What+Happened+To+Goodbye+by+Sarah+Dessen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iT9UUlFiRYb4KSW_oEzyPJChG4VKCJ0DRjzM9iaSvtkLjI-TfaK9AR0XaXOSsrxwOMDR5ylRxYkQYPDTQr0a07M4rMN14YFYVbl4t1k1Llw_npPvKQeVaYvcna8CUZCbHczf3Nrq5A/s200/What+Happened+To+Goodbye+by+Sarah+Dessen.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>Ah, Sarah. How do I love thee? Let me count thy books! Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite Young Adult authors, and she doesn't disappoint with her new novel, <i>Whatever Happened to Goodbye</i>. McLean and her Dad have moved four times in the past two years, and in each town, McLean has tried out a new personality. From drama queen to cheerleader cool, she slips on new identities, leaving before anyone can get too close, or she can get too comfortable. But what happens when they land in Lakeview and McLean tries being herself? As always, Dessen peppers her book with a colorful cast of characters and friends that support the story along with the main characters. If you've never read Sarah Dessen, this isn't a bad place to start. If you're a Dessen fan, than you're in for a treat.Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-45938340356077495092011-07-20T16:37:00.000-07:002011-07-20T16:37:27.492-07:00A Little Summer Fluff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaQzQbDzVjfTYG5suQyBElfNtxFShC-BLdR2uwCAa0Tn8pr-jt5KwC_uzKv1XVF-YPuoQmArM5RnvCgHSp5hqMRnzbGo2L6cBn5h3mGISbT1TAXPt8dYG1QsZo0Iz5UgKVIyeuxtmmA/s1600/Getting+to+Third+Date.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaQzQbDzVjfTYG5suQyBElfNtxFShC-BLdR2uwCAa0Tn8pr-jt5KwC_uzKv1XVF-YPuoQmArM5RnvCgHSp5hqMRnzbGo2L6cBn5h3mGISbT1TAXPt8dYG1QsZo0Iz5UgKVIyeuxtmmA/s200/Getting+to+Third+Date.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><br />
You know how you need that perfect beach/pool read? The one where you can enjoy the book you're reading without having to think too hard or concentrate like crazy? That was <i>Getting to Third Date</i> for me. This fun, quick read by Kelly McClymer is the perfect choice for summer (even though it takes place in the fall). Main character <span id="freeText13845651803189024564">Katelyn Spears is a freshman in college and also happens to be the top-secret writer of the advice column for the school newspaper. When her love & dating advice sparks a flurry of criticism, her editor (and crush!) Tyler encourages Katelyn to take a softer approach. When he learns about her three-date rule, he challenges her to go back and give some of her Romeos another chance. Will Katelyn find love with an old flame? You already know what I'm going to say...there's one way to find out! (Um...that would be by reading the book, in case anyone out there didn't get what I meant.) </span>Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-6636614230952657192011-07-14T14:57:00.000-07:002011-07-14T14:57:18.428-07:00The Godfather Part II, Empire Strikes Back and Queen of the Dead...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0ZVZkrWSJpjxt70FFnpu0IM16IhFIkVW26MUm5W0k-KxhpK8LdeNnuTloncKPF_1DKnp3dqh8f4emJk5EyAeMDLCMQaQdtgXhg0gZEXsz61R82Og8zaQR4IezfUPwoaRd9AbD8RU4A/s1600/queendead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0ZVZkrWSJpjxt70FFnpu0IM16IhFIkVW26MUm5W0k-KxhpK8LdeNnuTloncKPF_1DKnp3dqh8f4emJk5EyAeMDLCMQaQdtgXhg0gZEXsz61R82Og8zaQR4IezfUPwoaRd9AbD8RU4A/s200/queendead.jpg" width="136" /></a></div><br />
...what do these three things have in common? They were all awesome sequels! A rarity for sure, granted more rare in movies than in books, but kudos to Stacey Kade. <i>Queen of the Dead</i> picks up where <i>The Ghost and the Goth</i> left off without skipping a beat pulling readers right back into the (mis)adventures of Will and Alona. While I really enjoyed this book, there were a few snags. I feel like too many new ideas/concepts were introduced. There is a lot happening for both Will and Alona, but their stories develop almost independently of each other. I think that the Will & The Order storyline should have been the main focus, and gotten more time. The scene in the old movie theater seemed especially rushed. I'll try not to give too much away, but the whole Alona/Lily thing could have been a separate book. I will admit that the two storylines come together in the end, but I was left very unsettled. I don't really like what happened to Alona (being deliberately vague here, trying not to give anything away), but you can bet I'm going to read the next book in the series! If you've read these books, e-mail me & tell me what you think about the Alona/Lily situation.Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-85654879022395899212011-07-12T11:27:00.000-07:002011-07-12T11:27:48.919-07:00More Manga!!I can't believe it myself. Not only did I read <i>Fruits Basket Volume I</i>, I really liked it! I'm on a roll! Bursting my bubble a little? One of my Teen Advisory Group Members Molly told me that I had to keep reading. She said I couldn't just read one or two. Hm, and here I was, so proud of myself. That's OK though. Per Molly's advice (she's pretty smart, so I figure I should listen to her) I just checked out Volume 3. I will be totally honest though; sometimes, I'm still a little confused about what is going on in these books. There are times when I have to go back and reread something. It's all good though, I think the more I read, the easier it gets. And, I like that there are only 23 Volumes in Fruits Basket, and there is an end goal in sight. It's the open ended series that make me a little more nervous (I'm talking to you One Piece!).<br />
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Sidebar to all this Manga talk? Tomorrow @ 6:30pm, the Anime/Manga group meets in the Logan Auditorium. For the summer meetings, both kids & teen clubs will meet together. See you there!Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-47710004514966025292011-07-08T20:08:00.000-07:002011-07-08T20:08:21.468-07:00The Graduation Situation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z5uUn8qIAxp4TZVD1nRdvm8JD4tsFgO5gbLyFBiG2aTFXk0NRWx7QYkBCSrbgkp_xX47BEdbqCewwAw0ZzkbLSupszkdr_NSkiEgccwQLFm4OQJZhyGJyvJZgSd-QCOvqkzue8g_pQ/s1600/iloveyou_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z5uUn8qIAxp4TZVD1nRdvm8JD4tsFgO5gbLyFBiG2aTFXk0NRWx7QYkBCSrbgkp_xX47BEdbqCewwAw0ZzkbLSupszkdr_NSkiEgccwQLFm4OQJZhyGJyvJZgSd-QCOvqkzue8g_pQ/s320/iloveyou_l.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>Who doesn't love a good Graduation movie like American Pie, Can't Hardly Wait and I Love You Beth Cooper? Well, did you know <i>I Love You Beth Cooper*</i> was based on a book by Larry Doyle? Awhile back my friend Scott told me I needed to read it, and about a year later, mission accomplished! I had actually already seen the movie, so I kind of knew what to expect. The artwork and quotes at the beginning of each chapter alone justify reading this book. The illustrations are hilariously progressive as they chronicle the misadventures of the main character, Denis Cooverman. Denis is the definition of a nerd, and uses his Valedictorian speech to declare his love for the beautiful, unattainable Beth Cooper. The fallout from this confession is as crazy as it is unexpected, especially when Beth's older boyfriend takes exception to Denis's declaration of love. Will the class geek end up with the head cheerleader? Read this book & find out!<br />
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<i>*I will caution that this is definitely a book for older readers. There is a lot of explicit language, some violence and underage drinking.</i>Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-30939228959404070102011-07-05T16:55:00.000-07:002011-07-05T16:55:34.057-07:00Sci-Fi??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwUPICWN2WSsfcyt65EyJI4_yFmwK8u4pUHnYOFb0EFgW3N8kGTmn_2O2CZgGerqmG4DOfry9g3W4tcv2mM5rJHj3Alk8nWEGisA0Vg8qn-Va3Ts515SU0-UVfhyOVhlVGOTL_TNHqQ/s1600/h_across-the-universe-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwUPICWN2WSsfcyt65EyJI4_yFmwK8u4pUHnYOFb0EFgW3N8kGTmn_2O2CZgGerqmG4DOfry9g3W4tcv2mM5rJHj3Alk8nWEGisA0Vg8qn-Va3Ts515SU0-UVfhyOVhlVGOTL_TNHqQ/s320/h_across-the-universe-cover.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>I finally read <i>Across the Universe</i> by Beth Revis. From the moment I saw this book, I knew it would only be a matter of time before I read it, the cover was that good. But how to classify it? I guess mainly Sci-Fi, but there is also a dystopian theme running through the novel, as well as some fantasy, romance and mystery thrown into the mix. The premise? 17 <span id="freeText474261339236438194">year-old Amy is frozen along with her parents, and others as "cargo" aboard the spaceship Godspeed. They will be awakened in 300 years on a new planet.</span><br />
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<span id="freeText474261339236438194">But something goes horribly wrong and Amy is unfrozen and awakened 50 years early. Was it a mistake? A malfunction? Or was someone trying to kill her? Amy is sure the answer lies with Elder, the future leader of the ship, who is himself wrapped up in his own struggles with his mentor and the current leader of the ship, Eldest. This book is an intriguing tale of mystery and romance as Amy and Elder find themselves falling in love, and fighting for their lives. Revis does a great job of painting life and conditions on the spaceship, and the horrors of a controlled society. There really are no easy answers to the very difficult questions that are raised throughout the book, and it should give people plenty to think about and discuss. It is also the first book in a planned trilogy, and I can't wait for the next one! </span>Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-46900514554264130882011-06-29T14:30:00.000-07:002011-06-29T14:30:13.094-07:00A little Guilty PleasureTake a great cover, a classic Fairy Tale, and the Prom. Put them all together and what do you have? A little book that I can't say no to. Enter <i>Cindy Ella</i> by Robin Palmer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbG33m0Ggbbawmxt0eMURfN70goKESqQ9fIirmWYAMcHGij9kCXKI5GwFUh8k7pJI2qZpCbPq2GzoGMDZpARv1oYNgU5P3IfPoedHb8FGE4q5hABOEGGJe35yaOlPZXx2TCBzwJMEnw/s1600/cindyella3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbG33m0Ggbbawmxt0eMURfN70goKESqQ9fIirmWYAMcHGij9kCXKI5GwFUh8k7pJI2qZpCbPq2GzoGMDZpARv1oYNgU5P3IfPoedHb8FGE4q5hABOEGGJe35yaOlPZXx2TCBzwJMEnw/s200/cindyella3.jpg" width="147" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a fun, cute read with a likable main character. There big revelation of Cindy's on-line "friend" isn't that big of a surprise, but that really doesn't matter. I still found myself rooting for Cindy as she tried to stay calm and unaffected in the middle of LA and Prom craziness. This book was a fun little detour in between heavier books, and I would totally recommend it to someone who needs something light and fun with a happy ending. </div>Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-62941366237280580492011-06-23T16:58:00.000-07:002011-06-23T16:58:30.287-07:00Catch a Wave!So perfect for summer. Sometimes, I even impress myself with my timing. I just finished <em>The Wave: In Pursuit of Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean </em>by Susan Casey. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1YjbKg4rKcaGb4YnRboHQfkaT4MXJNxePlx91jJP22glwUO8K_f0dUxGBcQg8o-u1CYdIVEpphEo0JYSYzSO-aM30TCo27P9cY4eUtMPpK1oEJk-sxAqkaNRfHVzLtme4HwWA85nLw/s1600/wave-in-pursuit-rogues-freaks-giants-ocean-susan-casey-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1YjbKg4rKcaGb4YnRboHQfkaT4MXJNxePlx91jJP22glwUO8K_f0dUxGBcQg8o-u1CYdIVEpphEo0JYSYzSO-aM30TCo27P9cY4eUtMPpK1oEJk-sxAqkaNRfHVzLtme4HwWA85nLw/s200/wave-in-pursuit-rogues-freaks-giants-ocean-susan-casey-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This book? Not too shabby. It contained a lot of interesting information, facts and theories about waves, the oceans and climate change. Casey alternates between the science and the "adventure" sides of the ocean experience. For the science piece, she delves into the unpredictable and precarious nature of climate change and the ocean itself. She touches upon famous storms, tsunamis and shipwrecks as well as the mysterious disappearances of ships both large and small. There are a lot of fun facts and trivia bits peppered into the narrative, and although the science can get a little heavy at times, Casey finds a way to keep it accessible. This book was published in 2010, and it's fascinating to think about all that has happened since then, especially with the tsunami in Japan. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As for the "adventure" side, Casey focused on the Big Wave riders, especially Laird Hamilton. This part of the book? Crazy! These surfers are insane! But, it was so cool to read about their adventures and there were some great pictures. If I had one comment about all of this, it would be that I think the author was totally crushing on Laird Hamilton (not that I can blame her!). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't always love the juxtaposition of the two story threads. Sometimes it was jarring to read an "adventure" chapter that ended in a cliffhanger and then turn the page and get a science chapter. I do think it was neat to show both perspectives, but maybe it should have been broken down into Part I & Part II. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, a good read that I would recommend. </div>Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-72377299103323845062011-06-20T15:35:00.000-07:002011-06-20T15:35:27.534-07:00SUMMER READING!It's here! & It has to be done, so make it fun! Join us tomorrow at the YA Summer Reading Kick-Off Party from 6-7pm. Our theme this summer is "You are Here." To celebrate we'll have music, snacks, games, prizes and more. All this crazy fun will happen in the Young Adult room. Hope to see you there! Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-35604323027426822352011-06-16T17:09:00.000-07:002011-06-16T17:09:57.527-07:00Creepy!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbIjNp1Cwis1VBGOTMg-FI_20DYjAJKoNj_AQCWm9RPvowLfQzAt2hh8anY_F72N6_rE3tg8zIoLXfcFmg0YQHwLsAsipzZO0ukpWmp6sFsEyJKMuY2AkczJdz9M02mMm_AW7QbUH7w/s1600/DeadMaidscover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbIjNp1Cwis1VBGOTMg-FI_20DYjAJKoNj_AQCWm9RPvowLfQzAt2hh8anY_F72N6_rE3tg8zIoLXfcFmg0YQHwLsAsipzZO0ukpWmp6sFsEyJKMuY2AkczJdz9M02mMm_AW7QbUH7w/s200/DeadMaidscover.jpg" width="128" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yikes! This one rates pretty high on the creep-o-meter. <i>The House of Dead Maids</i> by Clare B. Dunkle is a prelude to <i>Wuthering Heights</i>, telling the story of Heathcliff as a boy. The main character, Tabby Akyroyd is hired from an orphanage and brought to Seldom House to serve as a nursemaid for young Heathcliff. Seldom House turns out to be a ghoulish, haunted home located on the desolate Yorkshire moors. There is no shortage of ghosts, spirits and mystery in this story, and the epilogue serves as an intriguing historical note, lending the story an eerie credibility. Clare B. Dunkle also has an author Web site, with a whole section devoted to the <i>House of Dead Maids</i>. It features pictures, some back story and more, and is definitely fun to explore if you want to know more about the story. My only advice? Don't read it late at night! </div>Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-6096322273051885462011-06-13T17:45:00.000-07:002011-06-13T17:45:16.559-07:00How much is too much?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So, a recent editorial article/opinion in the Wall Street Journal sent ripples through the world of Young Adult literature. The author was questioning the level of explicit abuse, violence, and depravity in current YA fiction. Many authors and librarians looked on this article as an attack, and proceeded to defend YA fiction with everything they had. Me? Well, I find myself in a very strange position indeed. I see both sides of the issue, and I think there are valid points to be had for each side. As luck/karma would have it, I was reading <i>Bleeding Violet</i> by Dia Reeevs when I read this article. Talk about gore, violence, strong language, sexual situations, self-mutilation and more. This book has it all, and I have to say, at times it seemed excessive. I did not love this book, I felt like it was violent just for violence's sake, and I had a really hard time empathizing with the heroine, Hannah. I feel like the author wanted her to be a racier, more modern Buffy, but she just fell flat for me. The author had a lot of great ideas and creativity, and Reeves is definitely a good writer, but I could not embrace this story. This is most definitely a read for older teens.<br />
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But, back to the Wall Street Journal article, I do think there should be a variety of YA books available in every topic, and I know that many children and teens have lived through difficult, sometimes horrifying experiences. Having books with characters they can relate to is essential. The choice of reading material is a freedom that should never be taken away. I think it all comes down to a matter of personal preference and choice. While people can make all kind of suggestions and recommendations about what you should read, at the end of the day, you control your own destiny.Reba Tierneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080696535811359816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464061019958692277.post-31193471547720244732011-06-11T13:39:00.000-07:002011-06-11T13:39:39.886-07:00Dark TideBack to non-fiction for me. I know, I'm amazed as you are! Anyway, I finally read <i>Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919</i> by Stephen Puleo. This is another book that had been on my "to read list" for years, and I'm so glad that I have now read it. It really was a great book. Rich in historical detail, but sprinkled with enough story and narrative to keep the story moving. It reminded me a lot of the Dennis Lehane novel, <i>The Given Day</i>, primarily because they covered the same tumultuous time period in Boston. I find it so interesting to read different author's perspectives of the same series of events. Another interesting storyline that stood out for me related to immigration, especially the history and treatment of the Sicilian Italians. I couldn't help but to draw parallels to their treatment and the treatment of the Chinese as described in <i>The Snakehead</i>.<br />
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Any and everyone living in or near Boston should be required to read this book. It's an incredibly well-told story and an invaluable look at the structure and history of Boston. Reba definitely recommends!! <br />
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