The teen group I coordinate at the library where I work released this awesome video this week courtesy of the amazing local cable station we have in town. Please watch and share!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUIr8giKwNI
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Pages: 336
Released: February 26, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Quick Recap: Two teenagers that nobody would expect to form a relationship do just that - much to the chagrin of those around them. It's a romance for those that love romance novels...and also for those that hate them. No matter your background, this is one book you won't want to put down.
The Plot: Red-headed Eleanor is an overweight, frumpy, disheveled mess. She comes from an extremely broken home, and struggles to fit in anywhere. She's basically Carrie without the telekinetic powers. Park is a cool, music-and-comic-obsessed Asian dude who has a loving family and a place at the cool-kids table. These two should not be together. But through a series of events, they end up a couple, but everything seems to be working against them, and even they know deep down that this great romance is likely on borrowed time.
Thoughts: For the record, I usually avoid romance novels like the plague. I wasn't even crazy about the much loved John Green novel The Fault in Our Stars. But Rainbow & Park was getting rave reviews from both critics, adults, and teens, so I figured I would give it a try. So glad I did! This story was virtually sap free. Sure, some of the dialog was cutesy, but it was also believable. The author, Rainbow Rowell, was not insulting to teens. In my opinion, she has the teen voice down much better than John Green. Throughout the novel, Rowell balances palpable tension with genuine joy, and for 95% of the book, it's entirely believable. It's an emotional trek, but one worth taking.
Favorite Scene: I really loved Park's parents, specifically his father in one scene that involved handling the news of a fight that broke out on the school bus. While Park's mother flips out, his father almost seems to take pride in his son for defending the honor of his girlfriend. I loved the interaction between Park and both of his parents in this scene, and it was just one of many moments in the Park house that brought a smile to my face.
If I Could Change Something: Teens swear. My word they do, I'm not ignorant. But if the two F words on page one are any indication, the author isn't afraid to drive that point home. I wish there had been a little more restraint with the profanity for the sole reason of making this book more accessible to younger teens. Whether or not it's justified, I know a number of parents who would not allow their children to read this book due solely because of the constant cussing. Also, the only time this book had a narrative misstep, for me, was near the end during a climactic scene where Park's father behaves in a way that I just cannot believe any rational adult would. His father could have just stayed asleep and not gotten involved - if you've read the book, you'll know what that means.
Reluctant Reader Approved: For the most part, yes. I think readers of all ages will really be invested in the two leads, as well as the great supporting characters. The character development is phenomenal, even on the level of the small supporting characters.
Overall Score: I would give this book an 8 out of 10. One of the year's best, for sure.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Released: November 5, 2013 (I had a digital ARC via NetGalley)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Quick Recap: Having just come off the tremendous Lexicon by Max Barry, a book which I still believe is the best of this year, I found myself laughing while reading The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes because both books have very similar plot lines, just the latter is made for teenagers. Both books involve a young girl getting recruited to live at a facility where special skill sets are honed for the advantage of others. Both books have grisly murders that may or may not be directly related to our heroine. And both of these adventures are very readable - and very fun.
The Plot: This young adult book introduces readers to a group of teenagers who work on cold cases for the FBI. These teens live together under close watch by their handlers, and each member has a unique ability that most young adults do not. The newest member of this group, 17 year-old Cassie, has the ability to get inside the mind of killers. She jumps at the chance to be a part of this select few and use her ability for good, with hopes of one day tracking down the person who brutally killed her mother (although no body was ever recovered...dum dum dum!). Shortly after she moves into this house, a series of murders that hit literally too close to home begin, and any summer-campy aspects of this new life are thrown out the window as the fast-paced investigation begins.
Favorite Scene: In a scene that reminded me of the movie Seven, when a box arrives for Cassie, you know that she shouldn't open it...and you know that when she inevitably does she's not going to love what she finds inside. It's a great scene.
If I Could Change Something: In an effort to create a love triangle found in many teen books today, Cassie forges relationships with two of the other members of this teen crime crew - Dean and Michael. Both of these characters needed more developing, because while we get their histories, I still found myself forgetting which one was which. The romance also tended to be a stretch, with too much happening too fast. Teen readers will most likely forgive the schmaltz, but it's really the only place where adult readers may roll their eyes. Well, that and the fact that some of the adults in this book would, realistically, never let teens get as close to the crime scenes as they do - but hey, this is a teen book after all!
Reluctant Reader Approved: This book is GREAT for reluctant readers, and will keep guys and girls both on the edge of their seats.
Overall Score: I think young adults are going to love this book - and what I expect will be a series. Barnes does an excellent job creating a mystery that throws a ton of suspects into the mix, and I will honestly admit I thought for sure I had the ending figured out but was totally wrong. For adult readers, there is still a lot to enjoy here, and while the book is fairly violent, the details are often spared to keep us in PG-13 territory. I would give this book a 7 overall, but probably an 8 or 9 for teens who are really the target audience, to which Barnes nearly hits the bullseye. It's a great start to what could be a very promising series.
Monday, August 19, 2013
First: What it Takes to Win by Rich Froning
Released: June 21, 2013 (I had a digital ARC via NetGalley)
Publisher: Tyndale House
Quick Recap: In the past four or five years, CrossFit has gone from being a lesser known specialty gym chain to an almost household term for elite fitness. Even people who aren't members of this rigorous community probably know someone who is, and know that being a member of CrossFit is no joke. First: What it Takes to Win by Rich Froning is a journey into the CrossFit world from a Christian perspective. Having had a brief history with CrossFit, and a long history with Christianity, I loved most of this book. For those who aren't members of either of those communities though, this book will probably have little to offer you.
The Plot: This non-fiction book chronicles the journey of the author, Rich Froning, the first ever two-time champion at the annual CrossFit games. We learn about his faith, family, and fitness routines (his three F's as he calls them). From personal tragedy and triumph, this is an emotional read to say the least.
Favorite Scene: I wouldn't say I had a favorite scene reading this book, but I did most connect with Froning's segments that talked about the reason for being fit. Is it for personal glory? Competitive success? Good looks? Or is it to glorify God? All Christians probably want it to be the latter, but more than likely that's a hard long road to get to, and Froning honestly shares his journey proving that to be true.
If I Could Change Something: I wish Froning had made the book more appealing to those that were not familiar with CrossFit terminology. Most of the time when he is depicting workouts, he doesn't stop to explain the routine clearly for non-CrossFit folks. For some readers, it will be like going to an ethnic restaurant and trying to figure out what to order from a menu in another language. (NOTE: I had an advanced reader's digital copy - if the in-print version contained a glossary of sorts, this criticism can be discarded). Also, some of the personal family stories he tells are dragged out a little too long. I also wish he would have added how expensive it is to participate in a CrossFit facility. I did CrossFit for four months and had to stop for financial reasons. Many of these facilities charge upwards of $150 a month - it's worth it if you have it, but I don't know a lot of people who can sustain that type of membership fee. I loved my time at CrossFit CenterMass more than any other gym I've been a member of, and would still be there today if I could swing it. This is the best workout community you'll find, just it comes at a price.
Reluctant Reader Approved: Only if you are a Christian who is familiar with CrossFit. If not it will probably be a challenge to get through.
Overall Score: I personally would give this book an 8. For those not familiar with CrossFit, I would give it a 5. There are still some things everyone can benefit from, but far less than those who are engaged with the subject matter. This isn't one of those "tell everyone to read" books, which is too bad, because Froning does have a powerful testimony.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
The Returned by Jason Mott
Released: August 27, 2013 (I had a digital ARC via NetGalley)
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Quick Recap: There are many people who are going to read this highly anticipated Twilight Zone/Lost style drama and be disgusted. It's one of those books that just ends in a way to provoke heated discussion. I am not one of the inevitable haters - I appreciated this tale of people who inexplicably come back from the dead and reunite with their families. That being said, The Returned wasn't perfect - but in many scenes, it was downright moving.
The Plot: While there are more characters than the author can successfully juggle, the primary family at the heart of this novel are the Hargraves. Harold and Lucille lost a son in a tragic drowning in 1966, and one day, present day, he shows up just as he was before he died - a young and seemingly carefree eight year-old. All over the world this is happening - people returning from the grave, and quickly panic and worry set in. What should nations do with this influx in people? What are these people? Are they even people? The author Jason Mott asks a ton of questions in The Returned but ultimately offers very few answers. It's up to readers to decide whether or not that ambiguity is a good or a bad thing.
Favorite Scene: Lucille Hargrave is a great character, and there is a scene near the end of the novel where she takes things into her own feeble hands. I won't spoil anything, but I was both on edge and laughing at the same time. I cannot wait to see who ABC casts to portray her as this book as already been optioned for a television show scheduled to begin next January (the show is currently titled Resurrection). I would suggest Kathy Bates!
If I Could Change Something: The author has a great vocabulary. I get that. But some of the characters use words that were just unrealistic and pretentious for who we are led to believe they are. In addition to that, there were a number of very repetitive scenes. In one instance, almost the same conversation is had between the same two characters in the span of two pages. One other criticism that I hinted at above - there were way too many small characters. Some of them were grossly undeveloped. I think this premise would have been better served as a bunch of short stories, taking the time to tell one story without starting another on the side.
Reluctant Reader Approved: Not really. Due to the repetitive nature mentioned above, and the all together slow pace, the fantastic plot won't sustain those that aren't patient.
Overall Score: I would give this book 6 out of 10. I found much of this book fascinating and I really did love the central family. A couple of the small stories also had great potential. It's not for everyone, but it will definitely find an audience.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Dan Goes to the Dark Side (of Reading)
Until last week.
That was when a coworker told me about NetGalley, a website that allows those in the various book professions to get free digital copies of upcoming books prior to their release for the sake of publicity and reader feedback.
I consulted a good friend who reads like her life depends on it and owns just about every e-reader ever concocted, and she suggested the Kindle Paperweight as the best device for simply reading books - all I would need it for. I placed my order (Amazon, you should give my friend a % of the profits), it arrived, I opened it up, and ten minutes later I was...in the emergency room.
Now, my freak medical issue probably had nothing to do with the Kindle, but I almost felt it was a warning from the reading gods that I crossed over into reading hell and this was my punishment. That being said, once I was recovered I went back to the device and began to play.
I am currently 37% into one of my first approved ARCs, The Returned by Jason Mott, and not only is the book great, but the Kindle reading isn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be. My eyes aren't tired. I am reading faster. I do miss the act of putting the bookmark into it's place and seeing my progress, but the cool/eerie screensavers have given me a new something to look forward on my breaks from reading.
All in all, I am kind of excited about my Kindle. That's something a past version of myself never would have thought possible. I still don't love that anything you buy from Amazon is TECHNICALLY their property and they can alter it or remove it at any time without warning (fine print!), but I can overlook that Big-Brotherish policy as I plan to only use the device for things from my library and from NetGalley. Who knows, a year from now I might only want to read off the Kindle, but I don't see that happening.
As Morgan Spurlock learned, you can't eat junk food all the time - right?
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Released: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Putnam
Quick Recap: I had a couple of vacation days this past May, so I bought this book due to extreme hype and flew threw it. "The next Hunger Games," said many critics, as this the first of a planned trilogy. Overall, I was left slightly underwhelmed despite finding it incredibly readable. Every time I would start to love it, a scene occurred that was more Twilight than Hunger Games and the sap level was too high for my liking.
The Plot: Aliens! They're invading! Gun-toting teen Cassie has survived the first four major extraterrestrial attacks (or waves, hence the title), losing friends and family along the way. Without spoiling anything, let's just say on top of the alien excitement, there is a love triangle which may distract our heroine from her mission of discovering if one of her family members is still alive.
Favorite Scene: There is a death scene that I found pretty powerful, but I won't reveal anything more.
If I Could Change Something: Aside from the love triangle, I was a little annoyed how aliens with all this amazing technology seemed to consistently and conveniently miss nabbing our heroine in scenes that took much more than a willing suspension of disbelief to get through.
Reluctant Reader Approved: Yes, for most. Despite having some plot troubles and sappy content, it is still kind of addicting.
Overall Score: I would give this book 6 out of 10. It was good enough where I will read the second when it's released.
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