Sorry I have neglected you, sweet blog! Life happens. And laziness helps, too. Let's catch up!
So, school has just begun. As of today, we are three days in. New administration and a few new teachers and way too many students! We need more teachers! I am busily adding new students into my library database and preparing for library classes next week. I have a LOT of new ideas, new books, etc. to share with students this year. Can't wait! New favorite children's book: Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes. Can't wait to read and sing this book to students. They're going to love it and there's the follow up also, Pete the Cat: Rocking in my School Shoes. So fun!
On the subject of books, I had promised to share some favs. So here's a list of my favorite books I've read in the last year. Oh, keep in mind that some of these are "indie" published books. I got my nook September 14, 2010 for my birthday and I think everything I've read since then has been on there so I got to take advantage of lower priced indie ebooks. As a result, I found some awesome authors in the fantasy, paranormal romance type genres.
Favorite, of course, is Amanda Hocking, author of the Trylle Trilogy. Many kudos to her for signing recently with a house and the masses will soon be able to enjoy her books beyond epub. My other favorite of hers in Hollowland. Now this book is about a post-apocalyptic zombie US. I wasn't excited to read it at first because I had never read a zombie book. But I loved it. Give it a try. At 2.99 you really can't go wrong, right!? She's written a bunch of others, but the above are my favorites and she's got a funny, interesting, personal blog. I'm thinking 9th grade and up, appropriate, but some may argue younger okay.
Close second favorite author is H.P.Mallory. Her books are about paranormal characters too. Currently she has out several installments of two series, the Dulcie O'Neil series and the Jolie Wilkins series. Both excellent. Fairies, vampires, weres, all that good stuff. Her books are a little more sexy, so think upper high school to adult. But again, some may argue younger. Mallory's main characters are sarcastic and funny and get themselves into all sorts of predicaments unintentionally and meet up with unforgettable characters. You will fly through them and then be mad at yourself for reading them so fast when you're finished. You won't want them to end. At least I didn't.
Historical Romance. Now I haven't visited this genre in years but suddenly craved it over my lazy summer. I happened to find Anne Stuart. I thoroughly enjoyed the House of Rohan books and The Devil's Waltz. I thought they were well written, not sappy, with fully developed unrepentant bad guy/love interests. The heroines are witty and strong with multi-faceted emotions and reactions and I like that they author draws them as not your typical classically beautiful damsels. The books have just enough detail and highly satisfying resolutions.
You must read Ally Condie's Matched and now Crossed has just come out. I love these post-apocalyptic, new world type books.
Great new take on werewolves: Read Shiver and the next two books in the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater. Haven't read the 3rd yet. Maybe I'll get it for my birthday, hint, hint.
In between all of these I've read several others and maybe I'll mention them later but these are my favorites.
I simply cannot wait until the Hunger Games movie comes out! And I'm still reeling from the exceptional conclusion to the Harry Potter movies. Well done and very gratifying. J.K.Rowling is just pure genius as are everyone who made the books come to life.
That's all for now . . .
