I’ve noticed a particular reaction when I mention my interest in NBA basketball – surprise. Is it because I’m built like the opposite of a basketball player? It’s true, my height better qualifies me to be the person who rushes to the floor with a towel after a player has fallen and left a sweat stain.
Maybe it’s because I’m not a man, which excludes me from the boisterous sports fan stereotype. Maybe I look more like the type to go home after work and curl up with a good book (I do, during halftime). In any case, I’m here to speak my truth: I love watching basketball. More than I love a lot of things. Continue reading “Basketball Is for Everyone”
Early every year, the American Library Association (ALA) hosts its annual Youth Media Awards Press Conference. At this time, authors and illustrators of children’s and young adult literature are honored for the outstanding works they have published over the last year. Continue reading “2023 Youth Media Award Winners”
It’s February, and the books that caught my eye this month all happened to have romance. If rom-coms (or rom-drams) aren’t your thing, stick with the first book! It’s got plenty of demons and monsters and magic. The other two are decidedly fluffier!
“Wildblood” by Lauren Blackwood
Victoria is a Wildblood. Kidnapped as a child for her rare magical abilities, she has worked for the Exotic Lands Touring Company as a jungle tour guide ever since. The jungle is full of deadly spirits and creatures, and Victoria and her fellow Wildbloods use their magic to protect wealthy clients on their tours. Now Victoria is eighteen and due for a promotion in the company that will afford her more freedoms than she’s ever had. But she’s instructed to only act as support on her next expedition, letting her competitive and vindictive ex-boyfriend take the lead. The tour is for American gold miners who are headed to the most dangerous part of the jungle, where all the fiercest beasts are drawn to the gold in the Gilded Orchard. As the tour progresses, Victoria and the lead goldminer, Laertes Thorn, begin to fall for each other, and she has to decide if advancement in a corrupt company is really all she should hope for. This fast-paced adventure deftly balances fantasy and folklore with themes of colonialism and slavery. Continue reading “The Selector’s Selections: February 2023”
I love snuggling up under a pile of blankets (and my dog!) and not moving for hours, and these new books provide a wonderful excuse! Use them if you need inspiration for Winter Reading, our reading program where you set your own goals. For example, you could make your Winter Reading goal: Read a new book with a person of color on the cover! Just saying.
“Friday I’m in Love” by Camryn Garrett
Look at this dress! How can you not pick this book up? Mahalia had been looking forward to a Sweet Sixteen party for years, but when her birthday rolls around there’s no way her single mother can afford it. It doesn’t help that Mahalia’s best friend got a super extravagant party. On top of dealing with her party disappointment and awkward crush on the new girl at school, Mahalia is struggling with how to come out to her mom. Then she decides that she’ll throw herself a coming out party, with rainbow everything and tons of dancing. She starts to save every penny from her afterschool job, but as her home life and school start to spiral out of control, the party may be just out of reach. Continue reading “The Selector’s Selections: January 2023”
We asked our staff about the YA books they read in 2022 (not necessarily published in ’22) and here are their selections. Whatever you like to read you’re sure to find something great on this list! While most of the responses we got were unique, below are three books that were recommended by multiple people. You can find the complete list here — Staff YA Reads of 2022. Continue reading “Best Books We Read in 2022”
Hello Winter Break! If you’d like a little escapism in your reading before diving back into the next semester, check out these new books I ordered. We’ve got a heist, a magical mystery and a summer romance.
“A Million to One” by Adiba Jaigirdar
Are you ready for an all girl heist set aboard the Titanic? Dublin thief Josefa has just gotten her hands on a coveted ticket for the Titanic’s maiden voyage—but she has even bigger plans. Though the ship will be full of outrageously wealthy passengers, Josefa only has eyes for a jewel-encrusted copy of the Rubaiyat that is also traveling to America. The book is worth millions, so Josefa assembles a team to help her steal it. Told in alternating perspectives by the four young women, the action moves at a brisk pace as hidden motives and burgeoning romances are revealed. The heist story is so involving that readers might almost forget the stakes are a lot higher than our characters realize. Fun fact, the jewel-covered Rubaiyat actually was on board the Titanic! Spoilers in the link, so read at your own risk. Continue reading “The Selector’s Selections: December 2022”
As you might know, “Wednesday” is one of the most popular shows Netflix has ever had, but it didn’t come from nowhere. In fact, the show has its origins in the “Addams Family” comic strip that first appeared in “The New Yorker” all the way back in 1938! Since then it has had numerous book, tv, movie and video game adaptations and had a considerable influence on pop culture. Not bad for a one-panel comic without any words. Let’s have a look at some inspired by and related works available at your local library. Continue reading “If You Enjoyed Netflix’s Wednesday”
Since our teens love fantasy books we had to make another list of recommendations, here is our Fantasy 2.0 list! And let’s be honest this won’t be our last. Check out these and more at your local library!
Continue reading “Reader Reviews: Fantasy Edition 2.0”
Sometimes I end up with themes for these posts, and this time the accidental theme is debut authors. Two out of three of these books are debuts, so let’s give some love to new authors! Yes, we could all just keep re-reading Holly Black or Karen McManus, but I’m always excited to find new favorites. (A bonus theme is protagonists with names that start with the letters “Av”!) Continue reading “The Selector’s Selections: November 2022”
November is Native American Heritage Month! It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Island communities and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people.
So if you want to learn (or re-learn) some North American history or take a dive into Indigenous futurism, there are some great titles below! Continue reading “Native American Teen Reads”
