Drowning in Books & Programs

Okay, I survived my first big teen program of the summer. Too bad I spilt red food coloring all over my hands and pants after repeatedly warning the teens to not spill it on the carpet or themselves. Guess I forgot that I am the clumsy one!! Oh well....it came out of my pants, but if you see a librarian walking around with a reddish-pink hand--feel free to snicker. I haven't been able to get all the dye off yet. Go me!

Now to start planning the next major program (my favorite one!), my Breaking Dawn Pre-Release Party. Quite the mouthful, I know. I couldn't come up with a better name. But I'm obsessed with the Twilight saga and Stephenie Meyer and Buffy (ignore that one), so this one will be so much fun for me!! Plus, the Twilight fan-band, The Bella Cullen Project is coming to play! YAYYYYY! I truly am a book nerd.

But I'm getting off-topic and I did have a point to this blog. I've got 6 teen books sitting on my desk waiting to be read (and about 6 more on hold). The problem with being the teen librarian is that I order the books, so I know what's coming in and I get really excited....and put them all on hold. Then when they come in all at once, I have a stack of books to read. You may think librarians and booksellers just sit around reading all day (or maybe I just think people think that). Unfortunately, I usually only have time to read on my lunch break. One hour to cram in all my reading for the day. It's not enough time!!!

At the moment, I'm halfway thru Ink Exchange. Suprisingly, I'm loving it so much more than the first one. It's just getting really good....now if only I had the time to finish it.

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

Okay, so I'm a little ways into it. And I must say I like it better than the first one so far. It is still really dark and gothic--bordering on the grotesque when it comes to describing the Dark Court fey. It's summer out....I need some light beach reading!! Not that I'm going to a beach anytime soon. Anyone got any suggestions?

BTW, I did get around to reading these from my "What I Can't Wait For List..." that I haven't mentioned yet. They're all worth a read.

Lock and Key
by Sarah Dessen
This one was great....it looks like Dessen has gotten back on track after Just Listen. This one reads like her best works. A classic romance and tragedy all rolled into one!

The Adoration of Jenna Fox
by Mary E. Pearson
This one was a breeze to read. I couldn't put it down, and the book was over before I knew it. After waking up from a coma after 18 months, Jenna finds that she doesn't remember her life before the accident at all. However, she can recite Walden word for word. What are her parents hiding? Even though the ending is tied up a little too neatly, this is a fast read that's worth the time.

Footfree and Fancyloose
by Elizabeth Craft & Sarah Fain
In the sequel to Bass Ackwards and Belly Up, the story picks up right where the first one left off. Despite being scattered across the world, these four friends manage to help each other through their first difficult year after high school. This one is just as good as the first and leaves an opening for another installment. You can't miss this one if you loved The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series.

Twilight Read-Alikes

Okay, I'm starting the sequel to Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr. I have to admit I only read the first one because it was suggested to me as a Twilight read-alike. It's not. At least not for me. It's dark and gloomy with an unsatisfying ending, IMHO. I have to admit that the only reason I'm reading this one is that I read the first one, so I have to know what happens whether I like it or not (silly reason--I know). We'll see if I make it through. Sorry for those of you who liked Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange. Maybe this one will change my mind about the series.....

If you really want a Twilight read-alike, I suggest you try The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones. It's the first in a trilogy, which I've all read all three. And they're a good mix of fantasy and romance. Much more to my liking. Currently my library only has the first installment, but I'll be trying to buy the other two as they come out in paperback. In case you want to try and find the other two, the second one is The Lost Queen and the last one is The Sorcerer King.

Wake by Lisa McMann

I just finished reading this yesterday. It is a ridiculously fast read! And you will not want to put it down. I was a little disappointed that it was already over, but don't worry there's more to come. It ends with the beginning of the next book in the series Fade. I cannot wait to find out more about Janie and Cabe. This book begins with Janie falling into other people's dreams, and worse their nightmares. She has no control over when or where she will be sucked in. During study hall, in class, even while driving....But she's always been a spectator before. Now something's changed--she's in the worst nightmare she's seen yet and she's a participant. Can she learn to control her powers before it's too late? Read to find out....

And now I'll get back to Alanis Morissette's new CD, Flavors of Entanglement. Track 1 is currently on repeat.

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Okay, so I'm a little behind because teen summer reading just kicked off on June 1. I went and MET Stephenie Meyer. Beyond words! I got my copy of the Host and Twilight signed for me....and I got a copy of Twilight signed to give away at my lib's Breaking Dawn Party. Who shall be so lucky to get it? We'll have to wait and see.

Anyways, I just finished reading an amazing book called Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. Think George Orwell's 1984, but with terrorists and Xboxs. The book is set in the not too distant future just after another terrorist attack. The main character, Marcus gets picked up for being a suspected terrorist. He's held by the Department of Homeland Security and tortured for information that he doesn't have. When he's finally released, he finds that San Francisco has turned into a military state with Big Brother watching even more than before. Tracking everyone's every move.

The paranoia and the fear are so realistic. Not to mention the technology, which apparently isn't too far-fetched. This book makes you really think....How much of this could happen? How much already is? The torture is realistic, I must warn you. It will make you squirm and cringe to the very last minute. This is a thrilling book with tons of gadgets and technology and romance, but it's an important book. It makes you really think. You can't miss this one, especially if you're a fan of Scott Westerfeld or the Uglies series.

And now onto the next one....Wake by Lisa McMann.

Stephenie Meyer

I must gush. I got up at the ungodly hour of 4am and headed off to Frisco this morning. I sat in the cold and wet for 2 & a half hours. And...it was worth it. I was rewarded with not only with Stephenie Meyer's new book, The Host (which I have to admit I've had an advance reading copy sitting on my desk for over a month...just too busy), but I got a ticket to go see her speak on Saturday and for a book signing. Since I got there so early I got a ticket in the auditorium for row D. As in the 4th row!!!

I have to admit I'm feeling a big dorky by this point. I mean, I've stood in line for countless concerts. Prided myself on getting front row seats to see over a hundred bands, but to do all this for an author? All I can say is....I wish I could write like that.

The only other author I can imagine with this kind of draw is J.K. Rowling (you knew that already). But I don't think I'd want to meet her now. The series is done. My questions are answered. Anything else she could add to HP would only ruin what is in my mind a complete story. But Mrs. Meyer, we're all still on the edge of our seats. There's still so much more to find out. Added bonus: It's got vampires.

Hope you were one of the lucky few. In which case, see ya Saturday.

It's here!

I have Sarah Dessen's copy of Lock and Key in my hands. Yay! I can't wait to start reading it. It's supposed to be more old-school Sarah Dessen, as opposed to Just Listen (blah). It's tempting me right now, trying to lure me away from my work. But it will have to wait! I'll let you know how it is once I get started.....