Armchair BEA: Self-introduction

Book Expo America, a huge publishing event, is happening in New York this week. Many of us who can't be there are participating in Armchair BEA, a week-long virtual book blogging event that provides a little of the BEA fun for those living vicariously. I felt a renewed sense of community and energy for blogging when I participated in last year's Armchair BEA, and I'm excited to take part again. All this week, I'll be sharing themed posts and trying my best to visit other book blogs.

The Armchair BEA folks have asked us all to kick things off by doing a self-introduction, and provided some great questions to get the ball rolling. So without further ado, here's a little about me...

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

If you're visiting my blog for the first time, thanks for stopping by!  I'm Allison, a teen services librarian in Southern California. I'm also a wife, and the mother of a 3.5 and 1.5 year old. 

I'm active in the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. I'm currently the chair of YALSA's Conference Marketing and Local Arrangements Committee and I've just started blogging for The Hub, YALSA's YA literature blog.

I also review books and apps for School Library Journal, and I co-host Authors are ROCKSTARS!, a YA literature podcast focused on author interviews.

I've been blogging for about a year and a half. I got into it because I thought it would be a casual, fun extension of my professional life-- I am passionate about youth literature, and love connecting readers with the right book. Why not blog about it?


What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

At the moment, I'm finishing up Moonglass, by Jessi Kirby. Her writing is so gorgeous, I want to live in it. And I can never, ever choose just one favorite book. I can try to narrow it down, but that's as far as I can go! My top three of 2012 so far:



Oh, but how could I not mention The Mighty Miss Malone, by Christopher Paul Curtis?? See..? Can't possibly choose just one.


Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

During last year's Armchair BEA, I was interviewed by the lovely Leah at Amused by Books, and I mentioned one non-book-related thing I was really hoping to do was take ballet classes. I've taken ballet on and off over the years, and thought it would be ultimate accomplishment to get back into it after having two kids. Not that I'm particularly good at ballet, mind you-- but I just love it. And I felt that taking ballet classes again would be like a sign that I have my life totally together.

Well, I'm not sure if I have my life totally together, but I am proud to say that I've been taking ballet since January! So I must be doing all right. I'm definitely having fun, in any case!

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

5 Ways Libraries Can Be Like Nordstrom

As a librarian who works extensively with the public, excellent service is very, very important to me. When I'm outside the library, I value being the recipient of good customer service, and Nordstrom is store that consistently provides me with positive experiences. I think libraries can emulate Nordstrom-style service to provide a welcoming atmosphere for our patrons. So I blogged about it!


What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

Betsy's house
Photo © bonnyglen, aka author Melissa Wiley

The Betsy-Tacy houses in Mankato, Minnesota! I've been fortunate enough to make pilgrimages to Green Gables and Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, but I have yet to see the real life "Deep Valley" of Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy series, which are among my favorite books in the world.

There's a Betsy-Tacy Convention in Mankato this summer, which would be great opportunity to finally see the houses. Alas, I won't be able to make it... but it's sure to be amazing!

Thanks so much for reading my self-introduction. I'm looking forward to getting to know more of you in the book blogging community this week!

ALA Annual 2012: What I'll Miss (But YOU Shouldn't!)

ALA in Anaheim, 2008. Photo by Timothy Vollmer

I am really excited about the ALA Annual Conference coming up next month in Anaheim, from June 21 - 26. I've only been to ALA Annual once-- last time it was in Anaheim, in 2008. I was pregnant with my first child at the time, so it was a rather cumbersome endeavor! 

Will I be seeing you at this year's conference? If you haven't registered yet, check the Registration Rates page: ALA Division members can register for the full conference for $230 by June 14.

 

Plus, there are some reasonable options for those who aren't necessarily interested in the entire conference, but would like to take part in the excitement. For $75, you can attend the Opening General Session, the Auditorium Speaker Series, and have access to the exhibit floor (yes, that means the publishers' booths!). If you purchase the $35 Exhibits Plus pass, you'll get to visit the exhibits as well as the Opening General Session, and the $25 Exhibits Only pass is exactly what it sounds like: access to the exhibit floor. Any of the pricing options are well worth it, depending on your interests.

There's going to be so much to do at this conference-- attend informative sessions, meet amazing authors, chat with the people behind my favorite publishers, network with fellow librarians, do committee work... I'm going to have a full schedule! As much as I would love to attend everything, there are a few programs and events I just won't be able to catch.

If you're going to ALA in Anaheim this June and can attend these sessions, please tell me about them so I can live vicariously. Here are a few programs I'll miss... but YOU shouldn't!

Friday, June 22, 3 - 4 pm 
Emerging Leaders Poster Sessions and Reception
The ALA Emerging Leaders program is "a leadership development program which enables newer library workers from across the country to participate in problem-solving work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into ALA structure, and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity." During this event, this motivated and dynamic group of people will share the projects they've been working on for the past six months. I think attendees will come away inspired.

Saturday, June 23, 8 - 9 am
Auditorium Speaker: John Irving
I was lucky enough to see John Irving speak once when I was in college, and he was brilliant and so charismatic. I definitely recommend attending his talk if it fits into your schedule.

Saturday, June 23, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Auditorium Speaker: Chris Colfer
Take note, Glee fans! The actor who plays Kurt has written a fantasy book for middle grade readers, The Land of Stories, which will be released on July 17 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Chris Colfer is my favorite actor on Glee, and I wouldn't miss his talk unless I absolutely had to.

Saturday, June 23, 8 - 10 pm
Proquest Scholarship Bash, featuring the Rock Bottom Remainders
"By day, they’re authors. Really famous authors. But once a year they shed their pen- and-pencil clutching personas and become rock stars, complete with roadies, groupies and a wicked cool tour bus.” A musical performance from Stephen King, Amy Tan, Mitch Albom, Dave Barry, Matt Groening, and Ridley Pearson, among others? Talk about EPIC. (Ticketed event, $25)

Sunday, June 24, 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Balancing Babies and Books
As the mother of a 3.5 and 1.5 year old, this event interests me a great deal. I'd love to chat with other librarians who are currently parenting young children and exchange perspectives on balancing career and family. Parents need to connect with other parents!

Monday, June 25, 5:30 - 7 pm
Battledecks
Ever since the concept of Battledecks was explained to me (thanks, P.C. Sweeney!), I've wanted to see it in action. Librarians competing in improvised Powerpoint presentations based on slides they've never seen before? Awesome.

There you have it-- just a few of the sessions I wish I could attend. Be sure to comb through the ALA Conference Scheduler for the full run-down of events so you can see what else is going on. I'll be back soon with another post about some of the sessions and events I will be attending... hope to see you there!

Audiobook Review: The Door in the Wall, by Marguerite de Angeli

This book is my first pick for the Newbery Medal Challenge! Hooray!

As mentioned previously, I'm modifying this reading challenge to make it a little less intense, and will be reading one Newbery Medal winner from each decade (instead of every single winner). And yes, I was going to start with the 1920s, but I have to admit that I keep getting hung up every time I look at the choices for that decade-- they're just not appealing. And it seems I'm not alone, according to this article on the Digital Shift. So it's not just me. Whew! But... any advice, Newbery fans? I've got to read a 1920s Newbery winner at some point, after all...

Anyway, after waffling for a few months, I decided to forget about going in order and just jump in with whatever title catches my eye. So! My choice for the 1950s is The Door in the Wall, by Marguerite de Angeli.

de Angeli, Marguerite. The Door in the Wall. 2008. Listening Library. Audiobook $24.00. ISBN 9780739371879. 

Winner of the 1950 Newbery Medal, this title piqued my interest because of its medieval England setting. Robin, the son of a nobleman, has always anticipated growing up to become a knight, but finds he must learn to cope with a different sort of life when he loses the uses of his legs after an illness. 

This book is what I'd call a cozy read. I enjoyed the details of medieval life and was inspired by Robin's struggle to come to terms with his physical challenges. His transformation from a spoiled brat to a young man with a sense of purpose is heartwarming, as is the large cast of endearing characters who support and encourage him. 

But I have to say: this is not the most suspenseful story ever. An adult with an interest in history (me!) is likely to enjoy it, but the lack of tension in the plot might make it pretty dull for a young reader.

For example: the characters are traveling through a wood, and realize they have to stop for the night. One character mentions he had been this way before, and found a woodcutter's cottage to be a hospitable place to stay. With this kind of setup, you're thinking-- okay, SOMETHING BAD has definitely happened to that woodcutter, and our main characters are about to be attacked by wolves or bandits or zombies. Right? Nope. The band of travelers finds the cottage easily and the woodcutter and his wife are indeed friendly and accommodating. The lack of complications is sort of sweet, really. But will it appeal to today's readers, who expect twists and turns and cliffhangers?

That said, the audio production of this book is truly stellar. Roger Rees, a well-known actor who got his start in the Royal Shakespeare Company, expertly breathes life into the archaic language of the book, making it  accessible for contemporary readers. Too, his steady pacing and wide variety of character voices keep the narrative interesting despite its relatively low-key plot. The audiobook is further enhanced by the addition of medieval music and other sound effects at appropriate times (e.g. when the narrative mentions a song being played on a harp, or church bells ringing), making for a memorable listening experience.

If you're going to read The Door in the Wall, the audiobook is definitely the way to do it.

Board Book Favorites: Mother Tested, Kid Approved

As the mom of a one-year-old and a three-year-old, I feel I've become something of an expert in the area of board books. We've spent many happy hours all cuddled up and reading. Of course, that means I end up reading the same books over and over and over-- and I've discovered that some books are just more fun to read than others.

My kids and I seem to agree that the best board books require some kind of audience participation, whether it's physical (giving a hug) or verbal (squealing or shouting or making funny noises). These little ones definitely like to be actively involved when sharing a book. Here are a few of our favorites: three published in the last decade, and three classics.

Three recent board books

You Are My Cupcake, by Joyce Wan
Scholastic, 2011
Simple text accompanies the most adorable illustrations. Bold lines, raised textures, pastel colors, and Hello Kitty-esque levels of cuteness are nearly irresistible to toddlers. Text such as "You are my cupcake. My sticky little gumdrop" gives the reader an excuse to squeeze and cuddle their child at every turn of the page, culminating in a barrage of nibbly kisses at the end as the last page proclaims, "I could just eat you up!" Nom nom nom... mwah!



Yum Yum Dim Sum, by Amy Wilson Sanger
Tricycle Press, 2003
Dim sum is a staple of my family's restaurant-going patterns, and I'm so happy that there's a kids' book about the food we so love to eat! My three-year-old can recite the text along with me, and we all have fun pretending to pluck food from the pages and chomp.

This book is part of Sanger's "World Snacks" series, featuring food from various cultures cleverly fashioned from fabrics and papers. (First Book of Sushi is another of our favorites!) Now, if only Sanger would do a book about pho or banh mi...

In My Flower, by Sara Gillingham and Lorena Siminovich
Chronicle Books, 2009
Chronicle publishes the prettiest books, don't they? The main appeal of this one, of course, is the felt butterfly finger puppet. The reader can wiggle it to and fro while turning pages, making for a delightfully tactile storytime experience with a curious child. My daughter loves to grab at the butterfly, and has recently discovered how to manipulate it on her own. She has so much fun making it "fly" around! This volume is part of the "In My..." series, which includes books about all sorts of other creatures, such as In My Nest (bird) and In My Den (bear).

Three classic board books

The Monster at the End of This Book, by Jon Stone and Michael J. Smollin
Random House, 2000 (first published 1971)
You know how librarians are always saying every reluctant reader just has to find the right book? Well, for my daughter, this was it! This is the book that made my one-year-old daughter a reader. When she was tiny, she was more into grabbing than reading, so this book played in nicely to her preferences. We discovered that she LOVED turning the pages to elicit a loud gasp or melodramatic "oh nooo!" from mama.

She's since branched out, and loves all books now... but is always happy to come back to lovable, furry old Grover. I can hardly get through the story properly, to be honest-- it's just a series of frenzied page turns and shouts. And that's what makes this book so much fun! 


Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
HarperFestival, 1991 (first published 1947)
This one is a no-brainer, but I have to mention how much I love the board book format. We also have it in hardcover and paperback, but this sturdy little board book gets the most use. The thick pages are a must when reading to a eager, grabby child night after night-- and it travels well, which is essential when taking the bedtime routine on the road for some family travel. 


Harry the Dirty Dog, by Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham
HarperFestival, 2006 (first published 1956)
This book is perfect for an older toddler or young preschooler who's ready to experience a longer, more complicated narrative, but still benefits from those thick cardboard pages. My three-year-old loves the story, and really sits still with me to hear what's going to happen to that naughty runaway dog. My one-year-old loves the book too-- if only to point out all the illustrations of dogs.

YA Books for an Adult Book Group

I was starting to feel like the last librarian on earth who wasn't in a book group when my friend invited me to join hers. Hooray! Besides spending time with friends and meeting new people, one of the reasons I'm excited to participate is that this group reads adult books. Er, that is, books for grown-ups. 

...I mean, the term "adult" is so awkward, isn't it? It means one thing to writers and librarians, but to the rest of the world, it's another thing entirely. *ahem* I've found that if you put the emphasis on the first syllable instead of the second ("AAH-dult" instead of "a-DULT"), it sounds less... um... you know. *ahem ahem*

Anyway.

As a teen services librarian. I work at the AAH-dult reference desk, but since I read primarily in YA in children's, I have trouble with AAH-dult readers' advisory.

Because, to be honest... adult books, I'm just not that into you. But I should be! Professionally, I need to be! Thus, I've joined this book group.

I've only been to two meetings so far, and I'm really impressed with their quality of discussion. These ladies take their reading seriously, and I love it. I'm excited to read their selections and challenge myself to take the occasional step outside of my preferred comfort zone of children's and YA literature.

But eventually, it will be my turn to choose the book. And even though this book group primarily reads adult books, it seems like they're open to reading YA. Many of them enjoyed The Hunger Games, so this is an opportunity to introduce them to more great YA titles.

What kind of YA book would appeal to an adult book group? I'm thinking books with strong characters, complex motivations, intricate plotting, and top-notch writing. Books with situations and emotions they can relate to when looking back on their teen years.

Happily, I can think of a few YA books that would make great picks for adult book groups.

Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth Wein
Two young women in World War II. With its detailed historical setting, incredible plot, and depiction of a strong female friendship, this is my top YA pick for an adult book group right now. (See my Code Name Verity review for more gushing about this tremendously excellent book.)



The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green
Two teens with cancer fall in love-- and it's not as emotionally manipulative as the premise suggests. It's serious, it's funny, it's insightful, it's inspiring... what's not to love? There's so much to discuss here-- the plot, the writing style, whether or not teens really talk like Hazel and Augustus (and whether or not that actually matters)... (I reviewed The Fault in Our Stars a few months ago.)



The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
The author presents a semi-autobiographical story about a Native American boy who chooses to leave the reservation to pursue a better education. Alexie is a noted author for adults, and his YA book has great crossover appeal for both age groups. It's hilarious and heartbreaking and full of hope, and the fact that so much of the book is drawn from Alexie's life gives any book group a great deal to discuss.




Beauty Queens, by Libba Bray
A plane full of beauty pageant contestants crashes on a desert island, and satire of everything ensues. This is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of book-- and I love it. I would have to get to know my book group better before attempting to guess how they'd react to it, but for some groups, this could be a huge hit and prompt a lively discussion. I adore the way Libba Bray wraps up weighty issues in a hilarious package, and the feminist themes in this book make me want to stand up and cheer. 



If I Stay, by Gayle Forman
A girl loses her family in a terrible car accident. Hovering between life and death in a coma, she must decide whether to go or stay. The emotionally affecting story as Mia looks back on her life thus far, the vivid portayal of her family and her boyfriend, and the intricate plot that unfolds through flashbacks make this book a very appealing book group pick. It eems to be universally enjoyed by both teens and adults, and I have a feeling an adult audience will connect more with the family aspect of the novel than the teens will-- it would be interesting to compare what each age group focuses on when discussing this novel.



What do you think? What YA titles would you suggest for an adult book group?

Book Review: Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth Wein

Wein, Elizabeth. Code Name Verity. 327 p. 2012. Hyperion. Hardcover $16.99. ISBN 9781423152194.

I was lucky enough to read an e-galley of this book a couple months ago, and I've been pondering how to review it ever since then. Honestly, I started drafting this review in March, but all it said was: "OMG where to begin??" ...which is more or less how I still feel.

This book is one of my favorite reads of 2012 so far. Possibly my very favorite. Basically, I want Code Name Verity to win ALL THE AWARDS.

It's about two young women who are part of the Allied war effort during World War II. One of them, a pilot, has crashed her plane. And her friend, also in the plane, has been captured by Nazis and is writing out her confession in the hopes of staying alive for just a little while longer. 

This New York Times book review explains why it's impossible to say any more without revealing spoilers. Here's what I can say, though:

One of the most appealing aspects of this book this book- something that's actually a bit of a rare find- is the beautiful portrayal of a strong female friendship. The main characters are wonderful and memorable on their own, and they're even better together. There's an overall theme of female empowerment, with these two young women acting in untraditional roles during the war. Female characters in supporting roles are layered and complex, too.

There's a very epic, cinematic feel to Wein's writing. I'd love to see this book adapted for the big screen-- but then again, it's more effective in print, because most of it is supposed to be a written narrative. The intricate plotting and astounding twists will keep readers on the edge of their seats wondering what on earth is going to happen to these characters.

Despite the fact that there are parts that will make the reader cry, I didn't actually cry a lot... except for one point when I actually cried out in shock and sadness, like someone yelling "Nooooo!" at a movie screen. Yes, I was that invested.

And when I finished reading, I wanted to start again from the beginning.

Code Name Verity comes out today, and you won't want to miss it. ARC for review received from Disney Hyperion via NetGalley.

Book Review: Dreamless, by Josephine Angelini

Angelini, Josephine. Dreamless. 487 p. 2012. HarperTeen. Hardcover $17.99. ISBN 9780062012012.

I had a blast reading Josephine Angelini's Greek mythology inspired debut novel, Starcrossed, last year. Talk about addictive-- I couldn't put it down! And I can safely say that fans of the first volume will absolutely eat up this action-packed sequel.

Dreamless builds on the foundation set in Starcrossed and continues its complex storyline-- essentially a modern retelling of The Iliad with some twists. The book maintains an epic feel as Angelini, one of the most organized and focused writers I've encountered, juggles several plot threads in a seemingly effortless manner. The plot is propelled forward at a consistent pace, with no lulls in the action.

It's fun to revisit the same characters we fell in love with in its predecessor (I heart Helen's feisty best friend Claire!), and meet some dynamic new characters in this book. Romantic tension is heightened as Helen and Lucas are still forbidden to get too close, and a possible new love interest is introduced in the form of Orion, another Scion who joins Helen in her nightly visits to the Underworld.

Speaking of the Underworld, Angelini's vivid descriptions of this realm will set your hair on end. Not a place you'd want to get stuck in! On the other end of the spectrum, there's an exquisite scene with Morpheus, the god of dreams, that's so beautifully written, you might want to read it again and again.

Look for Dreamless in bookstores everywhere on May 29th, and visit the Authors are ROCKSTARS! podcast for an interview with Josie! ARC for review generously provided by HarperTeen.