Friday, March 27, 2009

Book Review

Well, I just finished reading a pair of books.

First was Devil's Breath by David Gilman. This is the first in a projected series about fifteen year old Max Gordon - the DANGER ZONE series - Max is a seemingly ordinary school kid in England when someone tries to kill him. He soon discovers that his father - world traveler, archaeologist and scientist - is missing somewhere in Africa.

Max must evade those who would kill him, resist those who would stop him, travel around the world, risk danger and death, to find the sadistic, powerful man who wants his father dead. This book packs an exciting plot, a likeable character, and some good writing into a tight package. While I may not deliberately read more of this series, I definitely enjoyed reading this action/thriller/spy novel. In fact, if you are a fan of Anthony Horowitz, run, don't walk to this book.

Second was Impossible by Nancy Werlin. The tale of a modern young woman who discovers she and her entire maternal line before her are the recipients of a faery curse. She soon finds that it is desperately urgent that she break the curse... or she will go mad, and doom her daughter to a similar fate. Romantic, realistic, fantastical, and yet sensible, this story has a bit of everything in it. I'd suggest if you like Hilari Bell or Melissa Marr, or Robin McKinley, you will find this beautifully written romantic fable to your taste.

The third story I've recently reread is an old favorite of mine; A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace and her mother are upset by the arrival of a stranger, who sets the brother and sister on a quest to discover what a tesseract is, and how it plays into the disappearance of their father. This classic novel, first published in 1962, introduces a whole host of stories that involve Meg, her family, eventually her children, and several other families. L'Engle is a gifted writer whose stories never disappoint.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Just some chitchat

Wow, it has been wayyyy tooo long since I posted here!

We had a nice game day last Saturday, with about 15 people in attendance. If you weren't there, you'll have to wait until we start the Summer Tournament Season to try out our Rock Band setup...

On the 21st we showed Twilight: the Movie. There was a great turnout of over 30 people! I hope you were there.

Next Saturday, we're doing Pop! Science with Robert Bardin - Robert's a science teacher in his "real life" and loves to show off his science moves... if you have ever wondered how to make your own rocket, design a glider, or learn some basic principles of flight (or just enjoy a fun, noisy, messy afternoon at the Library), please join us! Ask your teachers if you can get extra credit. Compete for a Medal! Win a Prize! Here at the Central Library at 2:00.

Monday, March 16, 2009

New Books

New Fiction (all locations):

Raffi's Song: and the Stones of Erebus by Frederic M. Perrin - Rafiatu embarks on a mysterious adventure with four strange visitors, which will either save or end the world in three days' time.
The Glass Word by Kai Meyer - Dark Reflections Trilogy Vol 3. - concluding the epic quest to save Venice from the Pharaoh and his army of mummy warriors
The Faerie Door by Bruce Maxwell - When a Victorian girl from England finds herself in 1960's New Hampshire, she and a young man agree to help the Faery Queen defeat the Shadow Knight.
Ruby's Imagination by Kim Antieau - Ruby lives through Hurricane Katrina with her grandmother, but her vivid memories of an earlier life in the Swamps of New Orleans lend her courage and aid.
Pemba's Song : a Ghost Story by Tonya Hegamin - Pemba is trying to adjust to moving from New York City to small-town Connecticut, when she begins to have memories of the life of a mulatto slave girl who lived in her house before her.
The Juvie Three by Gordon Korman - Gecko, Arjay and Terence, all in trouble with the law, must find a way to keep their halfway house open, or face going back to juvenile detention.
Word Nerd by Susin Nielsen - The world of competitive Scrabble as seen from the honest yet funny perspective of a boy looking for a place to fit in and a home.
The Resistance by Gemma Malley - in a future England, Gemma is a "surplus" - a heavily regulated young person in a world where everyone takes longevity drugs - and then she finds out horrible secrets about how those drugs are derived... from Surpluses?
Milagros: girl from far away by Meg Medina - twelve year old Milagros begins a life of desperate adventure as her island home is overrun, and she barely escapes with the aid of mysterious sea creatures.
Dragon Princess by E.D. Baker - Tales of the Frog Prncess, book 6 - Millie, even though she is a princess, cannot control her shapeshifting into dragon form, so she ventures to the Frozen North in an attempt to find the Blue Witch, who may be able to teach her control.
The Parliament of Blood by Justin Richards - in Victorian London, three friends who discover that vampires are indeed real, try to help prevent them from taking over Parliament.
Imperfections by Lynda Durrant - in 1862, 14 year old Rosemary Elizabeth tries to fit in with the Shakers who have given her family shelter, but longs to be reunited with her mother and siblings.
Hero Type by Barry Lyga - Kevin is thrown into the public eye when he performs an accidental act of heroism, but when he's later seen being "unpatriotic" he uses his fame to show people the true meaning of freedom.
Isabelle's Boyfriend by Caroline Hickey - Taryn becomes interested in a new boy, and then his girlfriend becomes a new friend of hers, but her old friends are hurt when she seems to leave them behind.
Gamer Girl by Marianne Mancusi - struggling to fit in when she is sent to stay with her grandmother, Maddy forms a manga club at school, and falls in love while playing an online RPG.
Larry and the Meaning of Life by Janet Tashjian - Larry (aka Josh) is in the doldrums, but when he joins a spiritual group at Walden Pond, he begins to question his grip on reality.
Sword of Waters by Hilari Bell - book 2 of Shield, Sword and Crown - Arisa's mother, the Falcon, assigns her the dangerous quest of seeking for the sword that matches the shield she discovered in her first adventure.
Secret Story of Sonia Rodriguez by Alan Lawrence Sitomer - Sonia narrates the hysterical tale of her family life as she struggles to be the first of her family to graduate High School.
The Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi - Zac Baxter's grandfather has always told him that he's the descendant of African kings, whose treasure was stolen when his ancestors were sold into slavery. Of course, Zac brushes this off as a tall tale -- until his grandfather is murdered and their apartment is completely ransacked. Could the tales really be true?
Flora's Dare: how a girl of spirit gambles all to expand her vocabulary, confront a bouncing boy terror, and try to save Califa from a shaky doom (despite being confined to her room) by Ysabeau Wilce - need I say more? Sequel to Flora Segunda
3 Willows: the sisterhood grows by Ann Brashares - follow three girls who try their hardest not to miss each other as they go their separate ways - and watch as they find that friendship can transcend many differences, in these three stories.



Graphic Novels:

Gen13 vol. 3: 15 Minutes by Simon Oliver - The team heads to New York City for a little rest and relaxation. But when they find their dreams coming true in the Big Apple, Caitlin becomes suspicious! Could I.O. and the Tabula Rasa be behind their sudden good fortune? Or have the kids been on the lam for so long they've forgotton how to be happy?
Spirit bk 2 by Will Eisner - The sultry Silk Satin, the psychopathic Octopus, and longtime love interest Sand Saref -- friend or foe, they all have plans for Cental City's masked Detective. But whatever form danger comes in, our hero has a two-fisted solution that never fails.
Superman. Last Son - A rocket lands in Metropolis containing a boy Superman thinks is from Krypton. Along with figuring out what that means to him, Superman must protect young Christopher Kent, who has become the most valuable child on the planet thanks to his immense power.
Superman. Shadows Linger - The nefarious Insect Queen debuts and not only troubles the Man of Steel with a full-scale bug attack on Metropolis, but also develops strange ties to Clark Kent's high school sweetheart Lana Lang!
Justice League of America. The Lightning Saga
Flash. Emergency Stop
Batman. The Strange Deaths of Batman
Batman. Tales of the Batman
Batman. Gotham Knights
Batman. Ego and Other Tails
Green Lantern Corps. Ring Quest
Green Lantern. Secret Origin
Green Lantern. Wanted: Hal Jordan
JLA. That Was Now, This Is Then
Spider-Man. Brand New Day vol. 2
X-Men. Onslaught the Complete Epic vol. 4
Maximum Ride vol. 1 Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride, better known as Max, knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of the "flock"--Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel--are just like ordinary kids--only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true to some, but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time...
Watchmen - the classic GN that the movie was based on.
Hellboy vol. 2
Inyu Yasha vol. 36
Code Geas. Susaku of the Counterattack vol. 1 Suzaku of Japan and Lelouch of Brittania were boyhood friends. Then the Holy Empire of Britannia invaded Japan and conquered the country, declaring it was now known as "Area 11." Freedom was taken away and the proud Japanese people became known as Elevens. This GN series focuses on Susaku's side of the story!
1520 Vol. 1 - A royal maid named Ana, and a nearby kingdom's young prince, Zelos, have been accidentally bound together by a magical curse. The two 15-year-olds are now each only 10 years of age! They both retain the ability to transform back to their original age, but at the cost of knocking the other down to a mere 5 years old! Now the age-shifting pair must search for a way to break the curse, while also trying to save their two kingdoms from disaster!
Naruto vol. 33
Fruits Basket vol. 9-10
Fairy Tail vol. 3-5
Dragon Voice vol. 7-10
Gaba Kawa - Demons like Rara are supposed to cause mischief in the mortal world and draw humans to darkness. They're not supposed to help mortals and they're definitely not supposed to fall in love with them! But that's just what happens when Rara enters high school, where a hot guy named Retsu Aku calls her "Gaba Kawa"!
Sand Chronicle vol. 1 - After her parents get divorced, Ann Uekusa and her mother move from Tokyo to rural Shimane. Accustomed to the anonymity of city living, Ann can't get used to the almost overbearing kindness of the people in her mother's hometown. But when personal tragedy strikes, Ann discovers how much she needs that kindness.
The Adventures of Young Det vol. 1 - Two adventure-loving boys from the countryside set out on a quest to defeat an evil dragon that threatens to destroy their world. This first volume tells the story of the prophecy, predicted 80 years before the heroes set out on their journey.
Dramacon vol. 2
Prince of Persia - BEYOND THE LEGENDARY GAME – THE LEGEND ITSELF At the heart of the best-selling video game, there is a story . . . and a man.nbsp; In this graphic novel adventure based on Jordan Mechner’s classic, multi-million-copy-selling Prince of Persia video games, two princes, in different centuries of historic Persia, despair over the corruption gnawing at the heart of their worlds and their way of life
Gunnerkrigg court vol.1 Orentation - Antimony Carver is a precocious and preternaturally self-possessed young girl starting her first year of school at gloomy Gunnerkrigg Court, a very British boarding school that has robots running around along side body-snatching demons, forest gods, and the odd mythical creature. This opening volume follows Antimony during her first year at this strange school.
B.P.R.D. 1946 - Now, with the help of a handful of war-weary American soldiers and their erstwhile Soviet allies, Bruttenholm unravels the mystery of the Nazi Occult Bureau's greatest and most threatening initiative: Project Vampir Sturm.
Nevermore - “These versions of Poe’s best-loved and less familiar tales are destined to capture the imagination of a generation new to the master of terror, as well as delight long-time admirers of Poe.”
Dungeon. Monstres vol. 2 : the Dark Lord
Token - Shira, a 15-year-old teenager whose best friend is a bawdy 8-year-old turns to shoplifting when her father starts dating his secretary. When Shira gets caught by a dark-eyed, streetwise boy from Spain, they become more than just friends.
Clan Apis - Clan Apis is the biography of a honey bee named Nyuki told in comic book form. Written and drawn by biologist Jay Hosler, Clan Apis is an elegant blend of humor, storytelling, and scientifically accurate information regarding honey bee biology and natural history.
White Tiger - oaring out of the pages of Daredevil, the new White Tiger makes a ferocious debut, courtesy of the dynamic scripting of New York Times best-selling fantasy author Tamora Pierce (Trickster's Queen, The Will of the Empress) and masterful penciling of rising star Phil Briones (La Geste des Chevaliers-Dragons, Les Seigneurs d'Agartha).

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Recent returns

Antsy Does Time by Neal Shusterman - both in audio and book format. Antsy discovers that his friend Gunnar only has six months to live, and decides to spend those six months making Gunnar's life meaningful. It seemed like a good idea at the time... (each has only checked out ONCE).

Circles of Seven by Bryan Davis - third in the Dragons in the Mist series - Billie and Bonnie explore seven worlds, going further into the domain of a powerful eneimy. During their journey, Billie must face the ultimate decision; help Bonny or rescue endangered prisoners? This book has checked out 16 times.

Evolution, Me and Other Freaks of Nature - a novel by Robin Brande. "I hoped my first day of high school might be at least slightly better than eating live bugs. But I guess I was wrong." 22 circs on 4 copies (including 1 audio).

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen - Carl, the new kid, finds himself involved in another boy's attempt to save a colony of burrowing owls from a proposed real-estate construction project. 6 copies, 110 circs!!

Planet Hulk: the Incredible Hulk by Greg Pak - In an effort to protect the Hulk and the rest of the earth, a group of superheroes secretly banishes Bruce Bannerman to outer space. 2 copies, 22 circs.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Wii LOVE Spring Break!

Well, for most of you, it is spring break week! On Saturday, we're going to celebrate with a game afternoon.

From 2:00 - 4:30 we'll be Wii-sporting, Gamecube racing, and, our newest thing:

Playing RockBand 2 on the Wii


So come join us and HAVE LOTS of FUN!!! There'll be snacks, and lots of noise! You can even watch me try to play a song... (but I'm tone-deaf, so I promise not to try too long)!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Recent Returns

The Boy Book by E. Lockhart - a companion to "The Boyfriend List" - Ruby is a junior now, but despite having her driver's license, she has some troubles - she's not speaking to Kim, or Cricket. Nora may or may not be speaking to her, and the big one - Jackson - definitely NOT speaking to her. 12 circs on our only copy of this little gem. Read it and share it with your friends - it's laugh out loud funny.

All Hallow's Eve - 13 stories by Vivian Vande Velde - Scary, creepy, disturbing and unsettling stories can all be found in this 2007 Teen Top Ten winning book of haunted tales. 55 circs on 4 copies.

Hellboy II - The art of the Movie -featuring the final shooting script - showing detailed illustrations of sets, costumes, props and more, with full-color photos from the movie and design notes. Only 1 circ!!!!! Can be found under 791. 4372

All three of these were on the return cart today - I think I may have to read "The Boy Book".