Teens

Have you ever noticed an accidental trend in your reading?  A central theme that ties books together that you didn't notice when you picked them up?  This happens to me all the time, and the most recent incident involved codes and ciphers.  I checked out a teen book, Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, on my sister's recommendation.  And my hold on the second title in The Code Busters Club, The Haunted Lighthouse by Penny Warner, arrived almost simultaneously.  Both are excellent and sparked an interest in code making and breaking.  When you read them, you'll be curious too.  So, here's a list of books available at Hoover Public Library to satisfy that curiosity.

I admit it.  I have never read a single title in this series.  I can't read everything, people!  But I do know that these books have been flying off the shelves since they were first published.  Now that the movie is opening this Valentine's weekend, they don't even have the chance to make it back to the shelves before they're whisked away by teens craving a supernatural love story.  Warner Brothers is hoping this will be the first in a new franchise as popular as the Twilight saga.  What do you think?

That's how I feel about anyone who hasn't read and/or watched The Princess Bride.  It is something very seldom experienced -- that rare occurence when the book and the movie are equally excellent.  And, since it's Valentine's Day, what could be a better blog subject than a love story featuring sword fights, fire swamps, Rodents of Unusual Size, and torture?  Nothing, that's what.  It's perfect for people in love AND people in the Pit of Despair. 

Ruta Sepetys is the author of Between Shades of Gray, a moving historical fiction novel that was named a 2012 William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist and a 2012 YALSA Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults.  It is also a staff favorite here at Hoover Public Library, which is why we're so excited to announce that Sepetys has a new book coming out tomorrow, February 12, 2013 -- Out of the Easy.

Apparently, 2013 is the year for teen sequels.  Two more #2's came out yesterday, February 5, 2013.
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me)
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (Cinder)

I love Ally Carter, author of the Gallagher Girls series.  I usually know when she has a new book coming out, months before the release date.  But the third title in her Heist Society series snuck up on me.  It was a lovely surprise when I heard the news, but I refuse to let it happen again.  I like to be "in the know".  And I'm sure you do, too.  So mark your calendars -- Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter hits the shelves on Tuesday, February 5, 2013.

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a branch of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced the 2013 Youth Media Award winners.  The highlights are listed below.  See the full list here.  How many made the Hoover Public Library's best of lists?
Caldecott Medal
This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

Caldecott Honors
Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, ilustrated by Jon Klassen
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by David Small
Sleep Like a Tiger by Pamela Zagarenski

Newbery Medal
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Newbery Honors
Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
Bomb: The Race to Build -- and Steal -- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Konnichi wa!  The Teen Spot's Manga Club is meeting this Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.  Fans of Japanese culture will have the opportunity to discuss manga with other enthusiasts and enjoy a short anime film.  And for snacks . . . candy sushi!  You don't have to RSVP.  Just follow the stars to the Program Room.

Sherlock Holmes, created by author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, first appeared in 1887.  The fictional detective quickly became famous for his uncanny ability to draw conclusions from the smallest details.  Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson are just as popular today as when they debuted.  There are two television shows -- Sherlock (BBC) and Elementary (CBS) -- and a series of blockbuster movies starring Robert Downey, Jr.  There is also an exciting book series by Andrew Lane, and the newest release, Black Ice, comes out on Tuesday, January 22, 2013.  Once you're read all three Young Sherlock Holmes titles, you'll want to start another series inspired by the great detective.  This list will help you do just that.

A love out of time.  A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

Beth Revis's Across the Universe trilogy "just might make sci-fi cool again." (Booklist review)  The final book, Shades of Earth, comes out this Tuesday, January 15, 2013.  If you haven't yet discovered the drama aboard Godspeed, make sure you start at the beginning.  For more information, go to one of the following websites:
http://www.bethrevis.com/books/
This is the official author webpage.  It showcases reviews, book trailers, an author interview, and a fan art gallery.
http://acrosstheuniversebooks.com/

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays / 'Cause no matter how far away you roam / When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly face / For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home.  That song is right on the money.  At Christmastime, our hearts and minds are fixated on home.  So take a break from your holiday reading, and try one of these books set in Sweet Home Alabama.

When I sent an email out to our staff requesting their favorite holiday movies, I thought I'd get lists of DVDs.  And I did.  But I also got all these little bundles of Christmas memories too.  I feel so honored that my coworkers were willing to share their family traditions with me.  Those stories are what made this blog post one of my very favorite ones to put together.  Whether you need warm fuzzies, holiday hijinks, or Bruce Willis this Christmas, you'll find what you're looking for here.

First, it was a 1,500-page book: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Then, it became the world's longest-running stage musical -- seen by over 60 million people (including me) in 42 countries and winning 96 international awards. Now, Les Mis is coming to the big screen on Christmas Day. That doesn't give you much time to read the book. Better get busy!

We've been super busy around here, but have no fear! We haven't let that keep us from reading some great books in our spare time. Okay, maybe we should have been doing laundry or raking leaves instead. But give us a break! We have a reputation for being the best at reader's advisory, and we want to keep it that way.