2014 Reading Challenge

Photo by Anne M.

Happy New Year!

2014 promises all kinds of great books.  How many do you plan to read?  How do you track your reading?

I like using Goodreads to track my books.  Last year I used took part in the Goodreads reading challenge.  My goal was 213 books (I have no idea why I picked that number), and I passed it!  However, I'm not sure how many of those were picture books, which I don't really think should count ;)

If we were to do a Sno-Isle Teens reading challenge group, where we all encourage each other to read more, where would you want that to live?  Facebook?  Goodreads?  On this blog?  Someplace else?  I'd love to get a community together of teen book lovers
from all over Snohomish and Island county talking together about books.

Who's in?

Weekend Book Give-Away: Level 2

Looking for something fresh to read?  You might want to try out this weekend book give-away Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans. 

Seventeen-year-old Felicia Ward is dead and spending her time in the hive reliving her happy memories--but when Julian, a dark memory from her past, breaks into the hive and demands that she come with him, she discovers that even the afterlife is more complicated and dangerous then she dreamed.

Wait, what?  That isn't anything like an afterlife I've ever imagined!  But that is the beauty of science-fiction, I guess, you can do whatever you want.

For a chance to win an ARC of Level 2, tell me how you imagine the afterlife (and if you don't believe in one, say why).


Winner will be selected with Random Number Generator on Tuesday April 2, 2013. 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. 

National Read a Book Day

Did you know that today is National Read a Book Day? I just learned that this morning. So my question to you is - what are you reading? Something just for fun? Something you've been assigned for school?

I'm currently reading (and thoroughly enjoying) The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge.

"In an alternate 1950s, mechanically gifted fifteen-year-old Aoife Grayson, whose family has a history of going mad at sixteen, must leave the totalitarian city of Lovecraft and venture into the world of magic to solve the mystery of her brother's disappearance and the mysteries surrounding her father and the Land of Thorn. "

I highly recommend it!

Are You the Smartest Reader You Know?

Author Garret Freymann-Weyr (After the moment, Stay with me, My heartbeat, The kings are already here) put together this list for NPR:

Three Books For The Smartest Teens You Know
The publishing world likes to say that young adult literature is in a golden age, full of great writing, and most important, growing sales in an otherwise dismal market. But the genre is not without flaws: Many young adult novels don't set the bar very high in their language, character complexity or emotional nuance, which is why I — a young adult author — like to encourage young readers to venture into the adult shelf. Here are three non-young adult novels featuring young protagonists that anyone — young or old — will read with both joy and fervor.

The Ranger's Apprentice Giveaway!

Ok, since the winners of the Harry Potter giveaway are most likely quietly ensconced in their reading chairs revisiting the last three adventures of that scar-faced bespectacled boy, it's time for a new giveaway. Now, The Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan may not be as popular as good 'ole Harry, but I assure you, if you are a fan of adventures and quests concerning orphaned young underdogs, you will love Will, who has been apprenticed to the mysterious Ranger.

I have TWO copies of the newest installment in this series, The Siege of Macindaw, to giveaway. Same drill as before, you must comment to have a chance at the books - this time I want you to tell me what your favorite fantasy book (or series) is that ISN'T Harry Potter, Twilight, or The Ranger's Apprentice.

The rules: You MUST be between the ages of 12-18. You MUST be able to pick up your prize at one of the 21 Sno-Isle libraries (or be on the bookmobile route). Find a library near you. Note that you can only enter ONCE! :)

You have until Tuesday, August 11th at 8pm to enter! We'll have a random drawing and announce the winners Tuesday night - so you'll have to check back to see if you win - and then the winners will need to email us at the address we'll provide on the 11th.

Just to whet your appetite, here's a teaser book trailer for the first three books:



And, if you need more proof of this series' cred (I don't know why I'm assuming you haven't read it, I've personally given it to scads of you - and there are currently 72 holds on The Siege of Macindaw) THEY ARE MAKING A MOVIE OF THE FIRST BOOK TO BE RELEASED NEXT YEAR. Just so you know. It's not like I'm all excited or anything... *looks away*

Book Trailer Entry! Perks of Being a Wallflower

I have to say, you guys, that these trailers? All of them fill me with cheezy happiness. I'm glad I'm not a judge!

Don't forget, you have until April 15th (that's Wednesday!) to enter!



Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephan Chbosky

Here's the competition so far...

How to Enter:

• Create a video of a book trailer -- like a movie trailer, but for a book! Your video should be 30 seconds to 3 minutes long, and be about a teen book, or a book that teens enjoy, owned by Sno-Isle Libraries.


• Post your Book Trailer video to YouTube.


• Make sure your video post contains the tag: "snoisleteens"


• Enter with this form by April 15, 2009: TEEN VIDEO ENTRY

Teen Choice Book Award!

via Menasha Kids:

"In association with the Children’s Book Council (CBC), Teenreads.com is giving you a very special opportunity to let your voices be heard by telling us your five favorite books of 2008. The five titles that receive the most “votes” will serve as the finalists for the CBC’s 2009 Teen Choice Book Award. Later we will tell you where you can go vote for them once the five finalists have been announced. The winner will be announced in May 2009.

All you have to do is fill out the form found here between now and January 31, 2009. Your top five selections may come from the list we’ve provided [here], or you can vote for titles not on the list."

More Winter Reading

There are still a few days left of winter break, here are a few books to help you spend the remaining time once the sheen of your new toys wear off, this time from Horn Book's Fanfare of 2008's best books:

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves by M. T. Anderson (Candlewick)

Boston, 1775: Octavian “commences a life of hazard” (not to mention irony), choosing to fight with the British, who promise him freedom, against the Sons of Liberty, who would keep him enslaved. But war is chaos, and freedom elusive. The novel’s epic sweep lets Anderson re-examine assumed historical truths and explore — excruciating, heartbreakingly — the human condition. Review 9/08. (High School)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic)

In not-too-distant-future America, twenty-four teenagers must compete in a brutal (and televised) annual contest from which only one will emerge alive. Protagonist Katniss, a strong contender, dares to question the games and, consequently, everything about her society. The plot’s twists and turns are addictive in this compulsively readable nailbiter. Review 9/08. (Middle School, High School)

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd (Fickling/Random)

Twelve-year-old Ted, who has Asperger’s syndrome, and his older sister (and nemesis) Kat team up to solve their cousin Salim’s disappearance, seemingly into thin air. Through meticulously embedded clues and brilliantly executed twists, this character-centered mystery reaches an explanation both age-appropriate and genuinely fraught with danger. Review 5/08. (Intermediate, Middle School)

The Graveyard Book written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Dave McKean (HarperCollins)

A toddler escapes the murder of his family by “the man Jack” but is pursued by ominous forces throughout his childhood, which he spends in the local graveyard as the adopted son of kindly ghosts. Creepy, bittersweet, and action-filled, this unconventional ghost story, enhanced with dark fairy-tale motifs, is as accessible as it is accomplished. Review 11/08. (Middle School, High School)

Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan (Knopf)

A parallel magical world free of aggression becomes a haven for
fifteen-year-old Liga, mother of two girls, both conceived by rape. But over time, strangers breach her new home and lead her and her daughters back to a richer life in the real world. This extraordinary tale of healing is resonant with mythic imagery and masterful prose. Review 9/08. (High School)

Forever Rose by Hilary McKay (McElderry)

In the final installment of the Casson family saga, eleven-year-old Rose feels left out as older sibs Caddy, Saffy, and Indigo increasingly lead their own lives. The hectic but beautifully orchestrated plot includes triumphs, challenges, and two startling surprises. McKay delights us once again with her hilarious mayhem and entirely unsentimental celebration of kindness. Review 5/08. (Intermediate)

Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls (Levine/Scholastic)

Eleven-year-old Sam, dying of leukemia, documents the final four months of his life and his pursuit of eight goals, from being a teenager to seeing Earth from space. Grappling with spirituality and family relationships, Sam is a fully authentic, vividly alive character whose story elicits remarkable heights of joy and depths of grief — often simultaneously. Review 1/09. (Intermediate)

Nation by Terry Pratchett (HarperCollins)

Two civilizations meet when a tsunami shipwrecks an English vessel on a small tropical island; a British girl and a native boy are the sole survivors. In Pratchett’s microcosm, all assumptions — about religion, imperialism, justice, even civilization itself — are open to question. Pratchett’s signature humor and imaginative powers are much in evidence. Review 9/08. (Middle School, High School)

The Last of the High Kings by Kate Thompson (Greenwillow)

J.J. Liddy (from The New Policeman) is now grown, with children of his own — who must save the world from an ancient threat. Thompson’s adeptness at blending realism, fantasy, and Celtic myth is matched only by her remarkable fluency in shifting tones, from comic to folkloric to heroic. Review 5/08. (Intermediate, Middle School)

Meet Sarah Mylanowski! In NYC!

To celebrate the release in the last of the Magic In Manhattan series (Bras & Broomsticks, Frogs & French Kisses, Spells & Sleeping Bags), Parties & Potions, they are running a sweepstakes to w"in a trip for four to Manhattan to have lunch with Sarah Mlynowski!"

"Answer the below question and win!
As Rachel and Miri know, life’s a ball when
you’re a witch! In 100 words or less, tell us what
you would do if you could be a witch for a day!"

Just answer the question and fill out the entry form.

If you aren't feeling up to writing 100 words or less for that question, but are still interested in the series and author, she's all over the internet with chats and interviews.

Like Love?

Harlequin, the long-lived, publisher of adult romances is starting a line for teen girls - and they want your help. On their site:

"The Harlequin™ Teen Panel is an online reader panel for teens between the ages of 13and 17.

Members of the Harlequin Teen Panel will participate in fun quizzes and discussions about things like: books, movies, music and websites. In other words, everything that you’re interested in.

This is the place to be if you love to read!
Sign up today to share your opinion about the books you’ve read and the books you’d like to read—as well as other things that help you choose your books."

More importantly, according to my sources:

"Teens will be asked to fill out fun quizzes; they’ll participate in discussions and will also receive FREE books (approximate retail value of $10-$15 per book?) and have a chance to enter into sweepstakes (with [parental] permission)."

Check it out, and remember, as always, if you find a book you love so much you think others should read it, ask the library to buy it - we probably will.

Morris Award Shortlist

The Morris Award is given to the best debut novel for young adults; it must be the author (or illustrator's) first published book. Here are this year's nominees:

A CURSE DARK AS GOLD by Elizabeth Bunce
GRACELING by Kristin Cashore
ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS by James Lecesne
MADAPPLE by Christina Meldrum
ME, THE MISSING, AND THE DEAD by Jenny Valentine

This is just the shortlist - the winner will be announced in mid-January.

***pssst: I'm rooting for GRACELING! But I haven't yet read ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS, and it looks really good!

What are your reading habits?

Teens!

Library students are conducting a survey to find out more about what YOU think. They hope to hear from thousands of teens!

Take a few minutes and help them out? Take the survey.

A Free Book? On the Computer?

Ok, well that's not really too terribly unusual these days, but this is one I really like. If YOU like smart and snarky main characters and you haven't read Something Rotten by Alan Gratz, well, now's your chance.

In honor of yesterday's publication of the sequel, Something Wicked, they have put an electronic version online until November 30th. So you can give it a go without even moving from the chair you're sitting in right now. Give it a try.

How can you go wrong? Besides, there's a skull in that "o," and a dagger for that "i."

That's a good sign, right?

Nominate your favorite!

Dread it when you get assigned a book with a medal on it? Sick of "good for you" books that are dry and boring? The CYBILS might just be the answer. They are taking nominations from the public - anyone with an email address can nominate their FAVORITE book of 2008. They take the nominations and try to find those few books that are both WELL WRITTEN and POPULAR. Books that are good AND good for you.

So, have a favorite book that came out in 2008? Through the end of Wednesday, you can nominate your favorite 2008 titles on the Cybils blog. Read the directions,
then nominate your favorite book in any of 9 categories including Middle Grade, Science Fiction/ Fantasy and Teen. Each book only needs to be nominated once, so if you see your first favorite, nominate your OTHER favorite. I know you have more than one... ;)

Reading Commonly

Hip Hop artist and actor Common, (formerly known as Common Sense and known to his mother as Lonnie Rashid Lynn) has started an online book club called The Corner Book Club through his Common Ground Foundation.

His website says:

"Teens are able to follow along with the recommended book of the month, blog with other members about relevant topics and have the opportunity to participate in a live online chat with Common Ground Foundation staff.

Celebrity artists will also be interviewed each month and talk about their favorite books and why reading is so important to them.

Each year the Foundation will sponsor a national "Common Ground Challenge" for our book club members. Winners will have an opportunity to meet Common and their essay will be posted on The Common Ground Foundation website. The Foundation is also committed to provide a college scholarship as the first prize award."

Their first choice? Long Way Gone, Memoirs of A Boy Soldier by Ishmaell Beah, which they describe as:

"This gripping story by a children’s-rights advocate recounts his experiences as a boy growing up in Sierra Leone in the 1990s, during one of the most brutal and violent civil wars in recent history."

Find out more, sign up, or just check out this month's artist interview with Talib Kweli.

Freedom to Read!

Hopefully you celebrated the birth of this country with lots of good food, fun, and plenty of explosions. But don't forget - readers have rights too!

1. The right to not read.


2. The right to skip pages.


3. The right to not finish.


4. The right to reread.


5. The right to read anything.


6. The right to escapism.


7. The right to read anywhere.


8. The right to browse.


9. The right to read out loud.


10. The right not to defend your tastes.

—Pennac, Daniel, Better Than Life, Coach House Press, 1996.

Of course, you may not be able to convince your teachers of some of these when you go back to school in the fall, but hey -it's summer! Enjoy your freedom to read and the sun while it's here.

And all those books you're reading? Don't forget to submit your reviews for a chance to win prizes...