The Vampire Diaries

Are you already hooked on The Vampire Diaries TV show?  Find more juicy details about Elena, Stefan, and Damon in the books by L.J. Smith.  We have the first two books, The Awakening and The Struggle, now available at the library, and the next two, The Fury and Dark Reunion, are being processed.  Don’t let the drama end!  Check out the books now at the library.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I just got done with Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins’ sequel to The Hunger Games, and I can’t believe I have to wait another year to find out what happens next! 

Katniss could never have predicted the consequences of  her actions at the end of last year’s Hunger Games, when the threat of her and Peeta’s suicide in the arena led to the Capitol allowing them both to live.  Nor could she know how much her ‘undying love’ for Peeta would affect her relationships back home in District 12, especially with Gale, the friend-with-the-possibility-of more she had to leave behind. 

There’s SO much going on in the book, and I would not want to deprive you of all the moments that left me gasping in shock.  Expect trouble in the Districts, an appearance from the odious President Snow, and a shocking twist to the rules of the Games.  So surprising that I believe I yelled out “WHAT?!”  Suzanne Collins, I love you yet I curse your name – now that’s what I call a good writer.

The unrelenting grip of the Capitol and the misery that hangs over the daily lives of those in the Districts sometimes made me long for a good action scene in the arena just to get away from it.  But Katniss’ ability to appreciate the small pleasures in her expected-to-be-brief life helped turn it around.  I detested the Capitol’s treachery, envied Katniss’ bravery, and laughed at least one time at Peeta’s complete audacity.

I hope you like Catching Fire as much as I did.  Put your name on hold for the book now at the library.

Help Me Pick New Magazines

You may have noticed our new magazine rack, which was installed this summer in the Y.A. Corner.  Because of the new rack, we have room to add a few more magazines.  So…what do you want? 

I’m thinking of adding three new titles, and I’ve got a few contenders:

BMX Plus
J-14 or M or Girls Life
Mad Magazine
New York Times Upfront
Shonen Jump 

If you were choosing new magazines for the library, which ones on this list would make the cut?  What title NOT on this list would you buy?

Don’t forget!

There’s just one week left in out Libba Bray autographed book contest.  Check out the details here and remember to submit your entry by September 15 (next Tuesday).

Have a great weekend!

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!  Just a quick reminder that we are closed Monday, September 7.  But it isn’t your last chance to get a book for the weekend – we’re open Saturday from 9-5. 

Have a great weekend,
Katie

Vote Now for Teens’ Top Ten!

Teens’ Top Ten is a “teen choice” list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year.  Voting is open through Sept. 18. Winners will be announced in a webcast at ala.org/teenstopten during Teen Read Week, Oct. 18-24. Vote now for your favorite three titles.

Disney to buy out Marvel?!

According to news this morning, Disney is set to buy out Marvel for $4 billion, including complete control of Marvel’s over 5000 characters.  I can’t help thinking this is a travesty!  But what do you think? 

Are you Libba Bray’s number one fan?

Do the words “A great and terrible beauty” make you swoon?  Are you the first person on hold to get “Going bovine” when it comes out next month? 

If so…what would you do to get an autographed copy of one of those two books?

Lucky you, all you have to do is enter our Libba Bray autographed book contest, going on now until September 15.  Tell us in 200 words or less why you love her books and you could win a book autographed by the author herself!   Entries must be received by September 15.  Pick up an entry form in the YA section of the library and bring your entry to the main desk, or email your entry to me.   Please include your name, grade and phone number if you email me your entry.

I will take names off the entries in order for them to be anonymously judged by library staff.  Two winners will be chosen; the first place winner will get first choice of book. 

Good luck!

Alphas

Can’t wait for the next Clique book to come out?  Try the first book in Lisi Harrison’s new series, Alphas.

It’s about a highly exclusive school, Alpha Academy, located on exotic, isolated Alpha Island.   Alpha Academy is open to students by invitation only and girls must claw their way to the top of the class, because out of 100 girls chosen for admittance, only one will win worldwide fame. 

I haven’t read this one yet  but  Alphas reminds me of a cross between the Clique’s mean girls and a reality show where there’s only one person left standing for the grand prize and the contestants are willing to do ANYTHING to win.  Enjoy Alphas, and keep your eye out for Charmed and Dangerous, the Clique prequel, coming out in October.

Chicago Comic-Con 2009

Hey everyone! This is Tressa. I’m taking over Katie’s blog for just a moment. A couple of weeks ago I went to the Chicago Comic-Con and it was unbelievably awesome!  The whole conference floor was jammed pack with comic book collections, games, specialized toys, t-shirts…you name it, it was there!!!

The best part was seeing everyone dressed up in costumes. Before you even got into the conference area, people were walking around dressed as characters from Star Wars, Batman, Spiderman, Watchmen, etc.  Next year I am totally dressing up! 

 Another fun part was seeing some somewhat-famous celebrities:  Michelle Rodriguez (“Anna Lucia” from LOST) was there; Peter Brady from “The Brady Bunch”; Ray Park (Darth Maul), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrission) from “Star Wars”; the original Incredible Hulk, Lou Ferrigno; …oh, and some kid named Cameron Bright who will be Alec, one of the Volturi, in the next Twilight movie. 

 Anyway, it was a ton of fun!! If you guys ever get the chance to go, it is definitely worth it!!  More pictures after the jump…

Free Stuff

Thanks to everyone who filled out my end-of-summer-reading survey during the past few weeks.  You got first dibs on some great advanced copies of new young adult books. 

The survey is now over and I’ve still got plenty of books to give away.  So, it’s now a free-for-all!  Come in to the library’s Y.A. Corner and find the basket marked “Free Books” to check out what’s left.  Almost all are advanced copies of books that don’t come out until the fall. 

First come, first served…
Katie

Book Review: Right Behind You

Jamika C. reviewed Right Behind You by Gail Giles and gave it 4 out of 5 stars.  Careful, there are spoilers in this review!

“This book was about a little boy having problems in his life that caused him to get in trouble all the time.  He moves into a hospital-like prison and tries to get better, but ends up being worse.  He moves back in with his dad and dad’s new wife and they end up having to move two times because of all the hatred.  They change their name and move and try to keep Kip/Wade’s life a secret, but Wade falls in love and tells the girl everything.  I like the ending because Wade thought he had to move again, but the girl stayed by his side.”

Book Review: Parties and Potions

“This book was about a witch trying to fit in with both communities.  I liked how it grabbed you in with an interesting polt and the characters had defined personalities.  I hated that it was the last book in the series because I read it first.”

Marissa A. read Parties and Potions by Sarah Mlynowski and gave it 4 out of 5 stars.   And don’t worry, we have the entire series at the library!

Book Reviews: Crank and Glass

Lauren M. reviewed Crank and Glass by Ellen Hopkins and gave both books 5 out of 5 stars.

“This book is about how a girl’s life can change drastically after her first encounter with the “monster” commonly known as meth.  I love this book mainly because it seems so real.  Also I absolutely love how it is written in verse.  As I was reading, I just could not put the book down.  I totally just got sucked into the story and did not want to stop reading.”

 
“This book is the sequel to the book Crank. It basically is a continuation of how the main character Kristina’s encounter with meth keeps digging her farther and farther into a hole that she can’t get out of.  This is such a great book because it shows both sides of what drugs can do to you.  At first drugs can be fun, but as you get hooked, it starts to take over and soon you stop being  yourself anymore.”

Book Review: The Hunter’s Moon

“This book was about a girl named Gwin trying to save her cousin Findabhair from the fairies who are planning on sacrificing her or her cousin to the Crom Cruac.  I loved reading this book since it has a good blend of fantasy and reality. ”

Kayleigh P. reviewed this book and gave it 5 out of 5 stars.

Downloadable audiobooks

Now Winfield Library cardholders can download audiobooks from anywhere using NetLibrary eAudiobooks.   

You must come into the library for a one-time set-up of your free account, then you may login from anywhere and download up to 10 eAudiobooks at a time. Books check out for 3 weeks and may be renewed. Once you have set up your account, click the banner to get started.

You may listen to eAudiobooks on your computer or download the book to a portable listening device. A list of supported portable devices is available here.

For more detailed information, please see:
eAudiobooks Quick Start Guide (.pdf)
eAudiobooks Detailed Guide for Library Users (.pdf)

We have hundreds of titles for young adults from authors including Meg Cabot, Anthony Horowitz, Sarah Dessen, Pete Hautman and more!  Come to the library and set up your free account now.

Katie

Summer Reading Prize Winners

Congratulations to all our grand prize winners!  Thank you to everyone who participated this year.

Digital Photography Contest

First Place, $10 Snapfish.com gift certificate
-Grace Hitzeman for her photo “Define Green”

Runner up, “Digital Photography for Teens” book
-Maureen Hagerty for her photo “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”

Summer Reading Grand Prizes

$20 AMC Theatres Gift Card
-Sarah Dalla Costa
-Lauren Murphy
-Molly McCarthy

$20 Blick Art Materials Gift Card
-Sasha Sliviniski

$20 Borders Gift Card
-Katy Hagerty
-Jenn Murphy

$20 GameStop Gift Card
-Christopher Annis
-Matthew Milder
-Jonathan Schram

$20 Graham Crackers Comic Books Gift Card
-Kayleigh Pivonka

$15 iTunes Gift Card
-Robert Vincent
-Maddie Ritter

$20 Prairie Path Cycles Gift Card
-Rob Agnew

$20 Target Gift Card
-Nathan Schram
-Katherine Farley
-Hiren Soni

Fill out our survey for a free book!

If you participated in this year’s Summer Reading Program, be sure to stop by the library to fill out my survey.  Just let me know what you liked/disliked about our prizes or programs and you’ll get your choice of free book. 

I have about two dozen different advance reader copies to choose from, and yes, “advance” really means advance – most of the books don’t come out until September or October.  Be sure to give me your opinion after you read them!  Let me know if I should buy them for the library’s collection.

The Summer Reading surveys are now in the Y.A. Corner of the library, so fill one out today and get your free book!

Katie

TV, Fever Dreams, and D&D

I was recently at an event about teen lit that was packed with authors I know you all love, so I’m now reporting back to you.  Ready?

Remember this post about The Comet’s Curse by Dom Testa, where I said I could see the book as a TV series?  Well I heard straight from the author’s mouth that the book has in fact been optioned!  Not everything that is optioned is made into a series, but it’s still cool.  I am apparently totally in tune with the TV powers that be.

Libba Bray described her own Gemma Doyle trilogy as “a Victorian fever dream glam rock-opera with beasties.”  I LOVE this description!

Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi met when she interviewed him for a gaming magazine.  They both played Dungeons and Dragons and were rival dungeonmasters.  Wouldn’t have guessed THAT one, would you?

Katie

Paper Bowl Pics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone who came to the program!
Katie