Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynn Jones - This is a fun book in a great series by one of my favorite authors. In a fantasy world being devastated by tourists, Querida, the High Chancellor of Wizard's University, has received thousands of complaints about the Pilgrim Parties that Mr. Chesney is sponsoring. Things go from bad to worse when Wizard Derk is informed that, as the "Dark Lord", it is required that he knock down his home and build an evil fortress in its place... 2 copies, 60 checkouts.
Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers - Myers is a fabulous writer - he writes about the streets and life as an urban minority teen, and he KNOWS what that is like. Reese is a hard luck teen at Progress Juvenile Facility. He desperately wants out, but keeps getting in trouble. When he's given a chance to participate in a work program at a Nursing Home he knows it is his last chance - if he can convince Mr. Hooft that he's a good person, maybe he can believe it himself. New book - 4 copies, 10 circs.
This World We Live In by Michelle Pfeffer - Third book in a series, it follows "Life as I Knew It" and "the dead and the gone"; Miranda's father and stepmother return to town with their baby and three strangers in tow. Times are desperate, food is scarce, and nothing will ever be normal again. They struggle to find enough to eat, and make a place for everyone. When another disaster strikes, however, Miranda must make decisions that she never dreamed of making a year, or even a few months, ago. A thrilling conclusion to a deeply emotional series. Book (2 copies) and audiobook - 12 circs.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - In Mary's world there are simple truths - the sisterhood is always right, and the guardian will always protect you - as long as you do not pass beyond the fence that surrounds the village. But when Mary discovers that her truths may not always be true, she must make decisions about her future, those who love her, and the one she loves. Can there be life outside a world surrounded by so much death? Book (2 copies) and audiobook - 31 circs.
Green Lantern: No Fear - in Space Sector 2814, planet Earth is located. The Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, is back. But his old foes, the deadly Manhunter, and mutated Shark return as well, with shocking violence. 2 copies, 14 checkouts.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Recent Returns
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins - this book is still on the "new" shelf, but it is so rarely here that I haven't had a chance to read it yet... Sophie is banished to Hex Hall, a school for wayward witches, faeries and shapeshifters, after a spell-gone-wrong at her Prom night... by the end of her first day there, she's managed to make enemies, crush on a mystery boy, and meet a ghost. 9 circs for 2 copies.
Light-Bearer's Daughter (Chronicles of Faerie #3) by O.R. Melling - Dana is a tomboy who misses her vanished mother - and when her father threatens to take them away from Ireland, she sets out to find her before she loses the chance. When she finds a faerie in the woods, she promises to carry out a dangerous task in return for her heart's desire. This book can be read without having read either of the earlier books in the series. 1 copy - 4 checkouts...
Eclipse - book 4 of the Warriors: Power of Three series by Erin Hunter. A dark shadow has fallen over the Forest. The three grandchildren of Firestar have learned of a powerful prophecy and they know that it will be up to them to decide the Clan's future. 28 checkouts for this very popular title!
Blue Moon by Alyson Noel (An Immortals novel) - Ever is eager to understand her new powers as an immortal but is alarmed to discover that her beloved Damon's powers are fading even as hers are growing. Can she find a way to save him, or must she make a wrenching decision? 2 copies, 20 checkouts.
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen - Isolated from friends who believe the worst because she has not been truthful with them, sixteen-year-old Annabel finds an ally in classmate Owen, whose honesty and passion for music help her to face and share what really happened at the end-of-the-year party that changed her life. 2 copies, 72 checkouts - this book just keeps on going out the door with readers!
Light-Bearer's Daughter (Chronicles of Faerie #3) by O.R. Melling - Dana is a tomboy who misses her vanished mother - and when her father threatens to take them away from Ireland, she sets out to find her before she loses the chance. When she finds a faerie in the woods, she promises to carry out a dangerous task in return for her heart's desire. This book can be read without having read either of the earlier books in the series. 1 copy - 4 checkouts...
Eclipse - book 4 of the Warriors: Power of Three series by Erin Hunter. A dark shadow has fallen over the Forest. The three grandchildren of Firestar have learned of a powerful prophecy and they know that it will be up to them to decide the Clan's future. 28 checkouts for this very popular title!
Blue Moon by Alyson Noel (An Immortals novel) - Ever is eager to understand her new powers as an immortal but is alarmed to discover that her beloved Damon's powers are fading even as hers are growing. Can she find a way to save him, or must she make a wrenching decision? 2 copies, 20 checkouts.
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen - Isolated from friends who believe the worst because she has not been truthful with them, sixteen-year-old Annabel finds an ally in classmate Owen, whose honesty and passion for music help her to face and share what really happened at the end-of-the-year party that changed her life. 2 copies, 72 checkouts - this book just keeps on going out the door with readers!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Recent Returns
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - In 1939 Germany, Liesel Meminger is a young girl living through dangerous, turbulent times. When she finds a book in the snow not far from her brother's grave, she becomes a book thief - soon, she's stealing from Nazi book burnings, taking incredible risks in the name of literature. But when her family hides a Jew in their basement, her world is turned completely upside down. 5 copies, 95 checkouts; 2 sound recordings have 21 checkouts.
The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding - As Thaniel, a wych hunter, and his mentor Cathaline try to rid the Old Quarter of London of the terrible creatures that infest them, their lives become entwined with an old woman who may be either insane or possessed. 2 copies - 61 checkouts.
Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz - Six teens break into Danvers State Mental Hospital, a long-abandoned and supposedly haunted structure. They intend to make a movie of their adventures, but none of them expect the frightening and life-changing events that occur within the maze-like old buildings... 1 copy - 6 checkouts.
Ranger's Apprentice, Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan - When Will is taken on by the Rangers as an apprentice, he's initially disappointed - but he'll need all the skills of hiding and shadowing, when he discovers that Morgorath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is once again gathering his forces. First volume in a very popular series. 4 copies - 74 checkouts!
The illustrated Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett - Young Witch-to-be Tiffanny teams up with the Wee Free men, six-inch-tall blue men, to rescue her baby brother and stave off an invasion from Fairyland. This edition has full-color illustrations and new materials from the author. 2 copies - 15 checkouts
The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding - As Thaniel, a wych hunter, and his mentor Cathaline try to rid the Old Quarter of London of the terrible creatures that infest them, their lives become entwined with an old woman who may be either insane or possessed. 2 copies - 61 checkouts.
Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz - Six teens break into Danvers State Mental Hospital, a long-abandoned and supposedly haunted structure. They intend to make a movie of their adventures, but none of them expect the frightening and life-changing events that occur within the maze-like old buildings... 1 copy - 6 checkouts.
Ranger's Apprentice, Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan - When Will is taken on by the Rangers as an apprentice, he's initially disappointed - but he'll need all the skills of hiding and shadowing, when he discovers that Morgorath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is once again gathering his forces. First volume in a very popular series. 4 copies - 74 checkouts!
The illustrated Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett - Young Witch-to-be Tiffanny teams up with the Wee Free men, six-inch-tall blue men, to rescue her baby brother and stave off an invasion from Fairyland. This edition has full-color illustrations and new materials from the author. 2 copies - 15 checkouts
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
book review
The Book of the Maidservant by Rebecca Barnhouse - this short and adventurous story follows Johanna, a young maidservant, on the pilgrimage she takes as maidservant to her mistress, Margery Kempe. Margery is a very religious woman, taken to preaching, crying and making a great show of her piety. Johanna is not sure she wants to go all the way to Rome, but she must, or become a runaway.
The story follows the trials and tribulations of a hard-worked, lonely and often frightened girl, who sees strange new sights, meets new people and has many adventures. Her descriptions of her world, her place, and her time are very realistic, but understandable. Johanna is a moving, believable character whom I very much enjoyed sharing a few days with. If you liked the Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman, or Jinx's Pagan series, I think you'll enjoy the Book of the Maidservant. (By the way, Margery Kempe was a real person who wrote a real biography of her religious pilgrimage, and she did have a servant named Johanna whom this tale is loosely based upon).
The story follows the trials and tribulations of a hard-worked, lonely and often frightened girl, who sees strange new sights, meets new people and has many adventures. Her descriptions of her world, her place, and her time are very realistic, but understandable. Johanna is a moving, believable character whom I very much enjoyed sharing a few days with. If you liked the Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman, or Jinx's Pagan series, I think you'll enjoy the Book of the Maidservant. (By the way, Margery Kempe was a real person who wrote a real biography of her religious pilgrimage, and she did have a servant named Johanna whom this tale is loosely based upon).
Friday, September 10, 2010
New Books!
Eternal Ones by Kiersten Miller (WWL) - Seventeen-year-old Haven Moore leaves East Tennessee to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she meets playboy Iain Morrow, whose fate may be tied to hers through a series of past lives.
Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins (WWL) - Two Burmese boys, one a Karenni refugee and the other the son of an imprisoned Burmese doctor, meet in the jungle and in order to survive they must learn to trust each other.
I Am Number Four by Lore (WWL) - In rural Ohio, friendships and a beautiful girl prove distracting to a fifteen-year-old who has hidden on Earth for ten years waiting to develop the Legacies, or powers, he will need to rejoin the other six surviving Garde members and fight the Mogadorians who destroyed their planet, Lorien.
Dear George Clooney Please Marry My Mom by Susin Nielson (WWL) - Violet's TV-director dad has traded a job in Vancouver for one in Los Angeles, their run-down house for a sleek ranch-style home complete with a pool, and, worst of all, Violet's mother for a trophy wife, a blonde actress named Jennica. Violet's younger sister reacts by bed-wetting, and her mother ping-pongs from one loser to another, searching for love. As for Violet, she gets angry in ways that are by turns infuriating, shocking, and hilarious.
Conspiracy 365. Book nine, September by Gabrielle Lord - Convinced Oriana was behind kidnapping his little sister, Cal teams up with Boges to plant a bug in Oriana's house. But, will spying on his would-be killer revel the location of the precious Jewel and Riddle, or will it put Cal in the line of fire?
The Interrogation of Gabriel James by Charlie Price (WWL, SWL) - As an eyewitness to two murders, a Montana teenager relates the shocking story behind the crimes in a police interrogation interspersed with flashbacks.
Note: titles that are designated as WWL are owned by the West Waco Library, and may not be available until the new Library opens (scheduled for Saturday, Oct 2nd).
Graphic Novels:
Fullmetal Alchemist vol. 23
Shonen Jump Vol.8, issue 9 2010
Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins (WWL) - Two Burmese boys, one a Karenni refugee and the other the son of an imprisoned Burmese doctor, meet in the jungle and in order to survive they must learn to trust each other.
I Am Number Four by Lore (WWL) - In rural Ohio, friendships and a beautiful girl prove distracting to a fifteen-year-old who has hidden on Earth for ten years waiting to develop the Legacies, or powers, he will need to rejoin the other six surviving Garde members and fight the Mogadorians who destroyed their planet, Lorien.
Dear George Clooney Please Marry My Mom by Susin Nielson (WWL) - Violet's TV-director dad has traded a job in Vancouver for one in Los Angeles, their run-down house for a sleek ranch-style home complete with a pool, and, worst of all, Violet's mother for a trophy wife, a blonde actress named Jennica. Violet's younger sister reacts by bed-wetting, and her mother ping-pongs from one loser to another, searching for love. As for Violet, she gets angry in ways that are by turns infuriating, shocking, and hilarious.
Conspiracy 365. Book nine, September by Gabrielle Lord - Convinced Oriana was behind kidnapping his little sister, Cal teams up with Boges to plant a bug in Oriana's house. But, will spying on his would-be killer revel the location of the precious Jewel and Riddle, or will it put Cal in the line of fire?
The Interrogation of Gabriel James by Charlie Price (WWL, SWL) - As an eyewitness to two murders, a Montana teenager relates the shocking story behind the crimes in a police interrogation interspersed with flashbacks.
Note: titles that are designated as WWL are owned by the West Waco Library, and may not be available until the new Library opens (scheduled for Saturday, Oct 2nd).
Graphic Novels:
Fullmetal Alchemist vol. 23
Shonen Jump Vol.8, issue 9 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Book Review
Ice by Sarah Beth Durst - this is a retelling of the "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" fairy tale. I LOVE this fairytale, and I read every version of a story I can find based on it. I have to say, this is one of my favorites.
Ice is set in the modern day, in the Arctic. Cassie has just turned 18, and is looking forward to joining her father's research team as an official member. But when she follows a magnificent, if odd, polar bear, out onto the ice, her life changes forever. She discovers the truth about her mother's death (or is she dead?), and the bargain that was made when she was just a small child. Will she uphold it? Can she escape it? Does she even want to?
Cassie is a strong, confident heroine, not afraid to make decisions that will affect her whole future, and the lives of others as well. Her choices aren't always the wisest, but they're always made bravely, with a willingness to face the consequences. Read her adventurous, romantic story, and enjoy!
Ice is set in the modern day, in the Arctic. Cassie has just turned 18, and is looking forward to joining her father's research team as an official member. But when she follows a magnificent, if odd, polar bear, out onto the ice, her life changes forever. She discovers the truth about her mother's death (or is she dead?), and the bargain that was made when she was just a small child. Will she uphold it? Can she escape it? Does she even want to?
Cassie is a strong, confident heroine, not afraid to make decisions that will affect her whole future, and the lives of others as well. Her choices aren't always the wisest, but they're always made bravely, with a willingness to face the consequences. Read her adventurous, romantic story, and enjoy!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Book review - Riddle of the Wren
This book by Charles De Lint isn't new, and he's not a "new" author, by any means, but he's fairly new to me, and I just discovered this particular title. I'm halfway through it now, and I'm enjoying it greatly. It is a classic coming of age yarn as a young girl, Minda, discovers that someone is hunting her with magic, and she flees, seeking aid. Gathering companions about her, she seeks for the Weir, a place where she can find out how to rescue Jan, the first one who came to her aid, but who is trapped, himself.
De Lint's stories are always beautifully written, slow moving, and thought provoking. This one is no different. Minda's world is clearly defined as a sort of late-medieval small-town and country backwater, so the contrast when she travels to the great fallen technological city of Darkruin is sharp and has real impact. I'm greatly enjoying the mystery of who Minda is, why she's being pursued, and what the future holds for her. I think you'll enjoy it, too, especially if you're a fan of Hilari Bell, Herbie Brennan or Sharon Hale.
De Lint's stories are always beautifully written, slow moving, and thought provoking. This one is no different. Minda's world is clearly defined as a sort of late-medieval small-town and country backwater, so the contrast when she travels to the great fallen technological city of Darkruin is sharp and has real impact. I'm greatly enjoying the mystery of who Minda is, why she's being pursued, and what the future holds for her. I think you'll enjoy it, too, especially if you're a fan of Hilari Bell, Herbie Brennan or Sharon Hale.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
New Book
Slowly, some new books are inching their way upstairs. Latest ones are:
Kings of Clonmel by John Flanagan - the 8th book in the Ranger's Apprentice Series. In Hibernia a quasi-religious cult is stirring up trouble, and only a secret from Halt's past can enable him and his friends to prevent the kingdom from being undermined.
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, first book of The Infernal Devices - Orphan Tessa's older brother has disappeared and she sets out to find him, eventually discovering that she is a Downworlder.
Kings of Clonmel by John Flanagan - the 8th book in the Ranger's Apprentice Series. In Hibernia a quasi-religious cult is stirring up trouble, and only a secret from Halt's past can enable him and his friends to prevent the kingdom from being undermined.
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, first book of The Infernal Devices - Orphan Tessa's older brother has disappeared and she sets out to find him, eventually discovering that she is a Downworlder.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Mark your calendars
On Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 we will be hosting the Opening Celebration for the new West Waco Library & Genealogy Center, at 5301 Bosque Blvd. The event will be a day-long celebration with children's programs, food, activities and TEEN GAMING. So come see the new library and get your gaming in!
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