The Last Good Place of Lily Odilon Book Review

I always love a good mystery and The Last Good Place of Lily Odilon by Sara Beitia is just that. Albert Morales sneaks into his girlfriend's house to spend the night, only to wake up later and find her gone. Since Lily has been known to be a bit on the wild side, Albert tries not to worry too much. But when the police show up at school, Albert becomes a prime suspect in Lily's disappearance. With the help of Lily's sister, Olivia, Albert uncovers a shocking secret and sets out on foot to find Lily. The chapters alternate between real time and Albert's memories of meeting Lily and their relationship as it progresses. Albert is a regular high school guy, with difficult parents who don't understand him or his relationship with Lily. With a despicable villain, a sketchy jock and building suspense, this is a satisfying mystery.

One Crazy Summer Book Review

It's 1968 and Delphine and her two youngers sisters are flying from Brooklyn to Oakland, California to spend a month with their mother, Cecile, who abandoned them years ago. Until now, all Delphine has known of her mother is the brief flashes she remembers and the negative things her grandmother and uncle have told her. Nothing can prepare Delphine for what she encounters when she arrives in California. Cecile's dislike and disinterest for her children is shocking to the girls. Instead of a summer at Disneyland and meeting glamorous movie stars, Delphine and her sisters are forced to spend their days out of Cecile's house and at a community center run by the Black Panthers. The summer turns out to be memorable and eye opening for both Delphine and the reader. A must-read!

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares Book Review

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have teamed up again with their latest title: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. It's Christmastime in New York and Lily is looking for someone worthy of sharing her first kiss. When Lily's brother Langston gives her the clever idea to leave a red notebook with a list of literary clues in The Strand (Lily's most favorite book store), she's hopeful she'll attract the boy she's been waiting for. Enter Dash (short for Dashiell), a bit of a grinch and certainly "snarly", who happens to be celebrating Christmas alone. Full of New York City landmarks, Christmas cheer, and memorable and quirky characters, this is the perfect read for the month of December. Fans of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist will find this to be more innocent and less edgy, but a fun read in its own right.

(Lily and Dash are named after a famous couple Dashiell Hammett and Lillian Hellman, both American writers.)

If I Stay Movie

Rumor has it Dakota Fanning is in talks to play Mia in the film adaptation of If I Stay based on the book by Gayle Forman. Personally, I'm not a fan of Dakota Fanning, so I'd rather the role go to someone else. A follow up to the book, Where She Went, will be published in April 2011.

Book Trailers

We love book trailers here at the library. It's a great way to promote a book and they look like a lot of fun to put together. Check out this blog that has book trailers of the past Printz award winners and honor books. It was put together by a professor and her students from a Texas college. What books would you like to see trailers for?

Looking for a Scary Read?

Autumn always gets me in the mood for scary books and movies. If you are in the mood for a creepy read, here is a list of some scary books I've read recently:

Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

Historical fiction about the Salem Witch Trials. Told from each of the accusser's point of view, it's not scary in the traditional sense, but it's fitting for this time of year.

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

Ok, I know this is a book for a younger audience, but it scared me to death when I was in 4th grade...and when I read it again recently.

The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

During WWII, a family moves to the seaside to escape the bombings occuring in London. Little do they know their new house is haunted by an evil magician. Creepy stone statues in the garden add to the atmosphere.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Part realistic fiction, part historical fiction (taking place during the gruesome French Revolution), add a supernatural twist and you've got a good read.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

After opening a door in her new home, Coraline finds herself in a mysterious world where she must overcome a scary entity to save her family.

A Curse Dark As Gold by Elizabeth Bunce

A retelling of the Rumplestiltskin tale. A little man spinning staw into gold, trying to take the first born--definitely creepy.

Teens Top Ten Results

The results of the YALSA Teens' Top Ten were announced today. And the winners are:

1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
2.City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
3.Heist Society by Ally Carter
4.Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
5.Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
6.Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
7.Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
8.If I Stay by Gayle Forman
9.Fire by Kristin Cashore
10.Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Good choices!