Fantastical Fiction

So I'm not a fantasy reader. Never really have been. So I've decided to try a bit more, but on my terms. The hidden world within our world plot drew me, which is a plot line I typically enjoy in my other fiction (more for horror, vampires, Stephen King, etc.). So I tried Valiant, by Holly Black (co-author of The Spiderwick Chronicles, which I did love). It was really good. I enjoyed the realness, the edginess of the characters. I absolutely loved Val's love interest (I won't spoil it) and her determination to do the right thing. She was a very human character; there were times I wanted to yell at her for her stupidity, but I did love her humanity, faults and all.

I also read Impossible, Nancy Werlin, as fantasy AND 2008. It is on a lot of Printz pick lists, so I was very interested in reading it. I thought that the curse plot was cool, but the execution was way overdone. The love story and the Elvin Knight was pretty cheesy; however, it reminded me of a teen fairy tale, so the over-the-top moments weren't too bad.

So my fantasy reading was alright. I'm still not a huge fan of the fairies/faeries/fay/whatever. But I can definitely read and enjoy.

P.S. Due to a busy weekend, Twilight will be seen Monday night. I can't wait!!!! I've ignored a lot of the hype and articles. To me, it's about Edward, Bella, and their world, not Robert, Kristen, and the real world.

Good endings, Duplicate covers?, Catching up with a year

The Truth About Forever ended nicely :o) The book was longer than I'm used to. It held my attention but since it's twice as long as I'm used to, I did feel ready to move on.

Oh! And I think that the paperback for Ivy by Hearn and Tantalize by Smith both have the same picture on the cover. Ivy is just lightened a lot. The face and hair look identical.



















I noticed this when going through preparing for my 2008 books. Lots to read! But since there are so many different kinds of books, I think I can keep it interesting :o)

food & teens

On the Law & Order shows, they eat a lot. Maybe to portray that they're too busy working to stop and eat, but still, they eat a lot on-screen.

In the teen library world... It was a very quiet night. There were a ton of teens in without any behavior incidents. This made me very happy :o) They're all good kids and I hate nagging them for noise and rough-housing. I don't want to be the cranky old librarian, but it does happen.

One of my goals for next year is to have more passive programs (board games, puzzles, whatever). This serves two purposes: (1) it fosters more independence among the teens and (2) I'm not spending my time preparing for programs that have poor turnout. I've also been booktalking A TON on the spot. I need to read more :o)

Forever

I'm currently listening to The Truth About Forever, by Sarah Dessen. So far, I am really into it. I understand the need to be in the control, to be "perfect." I'm just over halfway through and very wary for the end. I foresee a finale that I'm not going to agree with! Not because of anything the book has done; just bracing myself for the inevitable. But who knows; maybe it will all work out.

This winter, my library is doing a Mock Printz. I'm shifting my focus to trying to read more 2008 books. Only a handful are available on audiobook, so that stinks. I'll actually have to READ them! I've had motivation problems recently actually picking up and finishing books. Normally, reading either happens on breaks from work or in long sessions at home. Guess my TV addiction gets the best of me :o)

P.S. New Law & Order starts Wednesday. I <3 Jeremy Sisto. Since seeing him in Six Feet Under then the movie Hideaway (based on a Dean Koontz book, same title), I might have a celebrity crush. Right up there with Scott Brick...