Saturday, December 22, 2007

"T'was the night before Christmas..."

Ok, well not really, but close enough, so...Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, & Jolly Kwanza!

Just wanted to let you guys know that I had a good time at the last Teen Group meeting (hope you did too!). I'm thinking that we'll have to pester poor Ronda to teach us more cool crafts and continue to decorate the YA space with our wares--I trust you've no objections? :)

At the moment, visions of books are dancing in my head, and I aim to get reading as soon as all the holiday hoopla wraps up. A few titles on my hit list: Thirteen Reasons Why, Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You, Feed, Godless, Safe, Bad Girls Club, The Four Dorothys, and any other notables that cross my path &/or you recommend (HINT, HINT!). Oh, and while I'm hitting you up for ideas, I have a long car ride comin' up in January & I'd like to listen to my first audiobook. Would prefer a good story and non-annoying narration. Got suggestions?

Sunday, December 9, 2007

New Moon (seriously, tonight @ 12:40 PM)

** "As marvelous as the stars is the mind of the person who studies them." **
-- Martin Luther King, Jr.
I know at least one librarian who back in the day, wanted to be an astronaut. Alas, a fear of heights kept her grounded; so, too, did a desire to become a veterinarian, an oncologist, a photographer, a ballerina...oh, yeah, and a flamenco dancer (don't ask). My point is (1) reflection can be fun, (2) the sky's the limit, and (3) lists are fun. ("What?" you ask? Just go with the flow...)
** Teen Librarian's Top Ten YA Reads (Besides Twilight!) **
I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin
Incantation by Alice Hoffman
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga
Dairy Queen: A Novel by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
Totally Joe by James Howe
Peak by Roland Smith
The Land by Mildred D. Taylor
Please note, top ten lists are no easy feat--the trick is to limit to the favorites that come to mind, not necessarily the favorites of/for all time. So, what are some of yours'? Inquiring minds want to know. :)
Please note 2--the next time all head's are accounted for, we're going to have a group tutorial on this here blog. Perpetually being a party of one is no fun. :(

Saturday, December 1, 2007

TAG Agenda & More

"Reading is a discount ticket to anywhere." -- Mary Schmich


I just have to ask, where are you guys? Are you still experiencing problems? Hmm...It seems that we may have to tinker around with this a bit. In any event, I thought I'd let you know that I've selected two titles for our next book circle discussion. A little library bird told me that The New Policeman by Kate Thompson is a pretty primo read (for fantasy lovers) so that's option nbr. 1. The second, The Blooding, by Patricia Windsor has more of a gothic/horror twist. There are several copies on their way in from other libraries, and starting later this week, you can stop by the reference desk to check out your pick. Oh, and FYI--you'll have to stop by circulation to do an in person check out with staff (just tell 'em it's for book club & they'll know what to do!).
Also, I've tagged a few dates for upcoming TAG meetings (get it? he, he). Here's the tentative plan: 12/19 at 3:45; 1/16 at 4:30; 1/30 at 4:30, 2/13 at 4:30. and 2/27 at 4:30. Let me know if there's any conflict.
And, last, but not least, let's really start thinking about teen programming events. 'Tis better to brainstorm together than to leave we librarians to our own devices, no? :)
Have a great day, stay warm, and stay HOME if you can. Weather's looking mighty ugly out there. How does that old saying go, "In like a lion, out like a lamb?" Whatever the case, winter has most definitely arrived. Great time to curl up with a good book or catch a flick.
Check this out: http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/ (movie opens 12/7/07)


Monday, November 12, 2007

Greetings and Salutations

"Knowledge is free at the library. Just bring your own container." -- Anonymous


For those of you reading this...Welcome to Sun Prairie Public Library's new teen blog; a place where (we hope!) you'll feel free to be as witty as you wanna be. This blog's really yours, so we librarians will strive to keep our 2 cents to a respectable minimum. However, in order to get things started, a few words to the wise.

Fact: It's cool to work in a library, and as the teen librarian, I'd argue that I have the best job in the joint. I am, after all, paid to read really good books, listen to all genres of music, and even squeeze in a flick or two. That said, keeping up with the best of what's out there is easier said than done. Hence, I'm counting on you guys to help me out here. If you've got recommended reads, must listen to CDs, manga madness prowess, or other such pieces of pertinent information, feel free to toss 'em my way. In the meantime, I leave you with this...

A very abbreviated list of just-arrived or soon-to-grace-the shelves teen fiction:


Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy.
Safe by Susan Shaw.
Unwind by Neal Shusterman.
The Burning Time by Carol Matas.
Useful Fools by C.A. Smidt.
Almost Home by Jessica Blank.
Giving Up the Ghost by Sheri Sinykin.
Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick.
Mistik Lake by Martha Brooks.
Demon Envy by Erin Lynn.
Omega Place by Graham Marks.
Gifted: A Novel by Nikita Lalwanti.
Eye of the Crow by Shane Peacock.
Oblivion Road by Alex McAulay.
Without Warning: Ellen's Story, 1914-1918 by Dennis Hamley.
The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh.
Before I Die by Jenny Downham

(FYI: I just read S.A. Harazin's Blood Brothers & Deborah Lynn Jacobs' Choices. They're extremely good in vastly different ways, save one--they don't make for light & fluffy reads).