Friday, June 29, 2012

Weekend Book Give-Away: Lexapros and Cons

We've featured some pretty serious stuff lately, lots of fantasy, and a ton of stuff featuring girls.  So this week's book is a refreshingly different: Lexapros and Cons by Aaron Karo.  Warning:  LOTS of extremely frank guy humor here.  Not for delicate readers.

Realizing that his OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is out of control, seventeen-year-old Chuck Taylor, who wants to win his best friend back and impress a new girl at school, tries to break some hardcore habits, face his demons--and get messy
To win this book, tell me about something you feel a little compulsive about (I can't hang black clothing on black hangers...they must go on white or green or maybe blue...anything but black!) and how far you are willing to take this obsession.  Winner will be selected with Random Number Generator on Tuesday July 3, 2012. Be sure to leave a name with your entry, and check back to see if you won. To win you must be a teen (6th-12th grade, or 12-18) who uses a Sno-Isle Library.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Trailer Tuesday: The False Prince by Jennifer A Nielsen

I think I need to start keeping a list of which books I feature each Tuesday, because I couldn't believe that I hadn't shared The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen, one of my absolute favorites so far this year. This lead to several minutes scouring the Tuesday Trailer posts. Nevertheless, if you haven't already heard about this one from one of us librarians visiting your schools, this is a book, and pending series, that you SHOULDN'T miss:

Monday, June 25, 2012

Featured Teen Book Review of the Week: Pictures of Hollis

Pictures of Hollis Woods, by Patricia Reilly Giff

Describe the book: Hollis woods is a foster kid who thinks she has to run away from everybody. A touching story Of a teenage girl just wishing for a family, Hollis tells her story through art and memories, and in the end finally finds her place in the world.

What did you think: This book almost made me cry at parts, but I just couldn't put it down. I was always wondering what was going to happen next. My absolute favorite part was when Hollis finally sees Stephen again and he asks her if she was ready to come home.

Who would you recommend it to: People who love a good story with a happy ending.

- R.S. from Arlington Library

A teen submitted review will be featured every Monday through August 13. The reviews will be chosen from the Sno-Isle Teen Book Reviews. To win you must be a teen (6th-12th grade, or 12-18) who uses a Sno-Isle Library.  If your review is featured, one of our librarians will contact you with a small prize!

Friday, June 22, 2012

Weekend Book Give-Away: Grave Mercy

This week's book has lots of buzz...and 26 people waiting for a chance to read it!  But you might be able to get an advanced readers copy of Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers just by posting in this blog!

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?


Girl assassin!  Handmaidens to Death!  This sounds fresh and exciting.  To get a chance to win this awesome book, tell me about the most unconventional career you have considered pursuing, and why you think it would be awesome.  Opera singer? Flea circus ringleader? Master oatmeal maker?  Winner will be selected with Random Number Generator on Tuesday June 26, 2012. Be sure to leave a name with your entry, and check back to see if you won. To win you must be a teen (6th-12th grade, or 12-18) who uses a Sno-Isle Library.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Trailer Tuesday: Ripper by Stefan Petrucha

I don't set an unlimited amount of stock into reviews, as everyone reads differently, but the reviews for Ripper by Stefan Petrucha seem to be universally excellent. Which peaks my interest. And it is supposed to be Jack the Ripper, after all. In New York...

Friday, June 15, 2012

Weekend Book Give-Away: Erebos

There are a number of things that creep me out.  Stepping on worms or slugs.  Seeing videos of medical students dissecting bodies.  And the cover to this week's book, Erebos by Ursula Poznanski.

When sixteen-year-old Nick Dunmore receives a package with a mysterious computer game called Erebos, he hopes it will explain his classmates' strange behavior. He is quickly drawn into the cryptic world of the game, where players must obey a strict code. Erebos watches its players and begins to manipulate their lives in frightening ways. It soon becomes clear the game has a deadly agenda. When Nick sets out on a dangerous mission, reality and the virtual world begin to blur.      

I really don't like that feeling like someone is watching you but you can't tell for sure.  When I'm home at night, I have to have every single window fully covered, just so I know no one is watching!

To enter into a drawing for an advanced reader copy of Erebos, tell me about something that seriously creeps you out.  Doesn't have to be something that actually happens, just something you think about a little too much, and bugs you more than it should.

Winner will be selected with Random Number Generator on Tuesday June 19, 2012. Be sure to leave a name with your entry, and check back to see if you won. To win you must be a teen (6th-12th grade, or 12-18) who uses a Sno-Isle Library.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Friday, June 8, 2012

Weekend Book Give-Away: Embrace

In the mood for a supernatural romantic love triangle featuring half-human, half-angels?  Then have I got a new series for you!  This week's book is Embrace by Jessica Shirvington, and is the first in a hot new series.

Seventeen-year-old Violet Eden's world is turned upside down when she falls for the sexy and aloof Lincoln and discovers he is part angel and part human. As Violet gets caught up in an ancient battle between dark and light, she must choose her path because the wrong decision could cost not only her life but her eternity. 

To get a chance to win the advanced reader copy of the first book in this series, tell me this: if you were going to find out you were half-human and half-something-else, what would you want that other half to be, and why?

Winner will be selected with Random Number Generator on Tuesday June 12, 2012. Be sure to leave a name with your entry, and check back to see if you won. To win you must be a teen (6th-12th grade, or 12-18) who uses a Sno-Isle Library.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Finally--Your Own Book Award!

Have you ever noticed that some award-winning books are ones you wouldn't read even if we paid you? Are you thinking you could find better books? Well, now's your chance! The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) sponsors the Readers' Choice award and you can nominate your favorite new books. If you read a wonderful teen book published since last November, you can add it to the list at http://www.ala.org/yalsa/readerschoice/suggestions.

The nominees so far this year include some of my favorites, like Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore and Legend by Marie Lu. Every teen I know would nominate The Fault in our Stars by John Green.

How about you...what would you nominate as your favorite new teen book?

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Book release party tonight in Edmonds

Interested in true stories written by teens who have struggled and found ways to overcome difficulty?  Some of our local teens from Scriber Lake High School have published a book about their experiences, and will be having a book release party tonight at Revelations Yogurt in Edmonds from 5-7pm!

We Are Absolutely Not Okay: Fourteen Stories by Teenagers Who Are Picking Up the Pieces is a poignant, revealing collection of true personal stories about gang life, depression, cutting, drug addiction and sexual identity issues. Through their stories, they hope to connect with other teens and let them know that life gets better. “By sharing our stories, we want other teenagers who are experiencing what we have gone through to know that they are not alone, and that even in their darkest hour, there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” explains Lauren Nein, a Scriber Lake senior who wrote about her struggle with depression and cutting.

Though the student story collection is now available as an eBook on Amazon, the official print book launch will be held June 6 from 5 -7 p.m. at Revelations Yogurt in Edmonds. That’s where the students involved will be gathering for a group book signing event and celebration. “These students feel empowered by the immense healing power associated with writing,” notes Bowker. “Sharing their stories with others is another step in the process. A mother in California is so relieved that a book like this finally exists that she plans to use it in a book club with teens at her daughter’s school.” 

How exciting is that?

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Trailer Tuesday: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and Siobhan Dowd

I've heard people say that A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (written from an idea Siobhan Dowd had before her death) is too scary for kids... have you read it? Did it creep you out from here to Saturday?

If this inspires you to read A Monster Calls, don't forget to submit a review! Every review enters you in for great summer reading prizes like that iPad you've always wanted.

This trailer was submitted by Jay! Comment if you've found one you'd like us to post.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Weekend Book Give-Away: The Girls of No Return

Do you like adventure?  Trying out new things?  Getting away from it all?  What is it you like to get away from?  Me, I like to escape drama.  So I'm not sure the scenario in this week's book is The Girls of No Return by Erin Saldin would be much of a vacation for me:

A troubled sixteen-year-old girl attending a wilderness school in the Idaho mountains must finally face the consequences of her complicated friendships with two of the other girls at the school.     

To enter the drawing for this book, tell me about a vacation or plan that didn't go as you had hoped, for better or for worst.

Winner will be selected with Random Number Generator on Tuesday June 6, 2012. Be sure to leave a name with your entry, and check back to see if you won. To win you must be a teen (6th-12th grade, or 12-18) who uses a Sno-Isle Library.