What did Boeger read over the summer?

I read a little bit of everything over the summer!  My favorite is murder mystery.  If it is your favorite too, than you might like some of these authors:

* Michael Connelly and his Detective Bosch series

* John Sandford's Lucas Davenport series 

and the recent Virgil Flowers series

* Robert Parker (may he rest in peace) however,

the Spencer series continues via various authors

and the Jesse Stone series

What kind of librarian would I be if I didn't mention Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee?  I have mixed emotions about this novel.  I wanted to like it as much as To Kill a Mockingbird....but...well... I just didn't.  Would love to hear your feedback!

     I have decided to go back to the classics I never got around to reading.  A teacher highly recommended Cannery Row by Steinbeck so I went with it.
I don't know if it's because I grew up around fishermen, but I loved this book!      It was like reading about characters I knew and loved from long ago.  Steinbeck really captured a moment of Monterey, California history during the peak of the fishing industry with these quick-witted, entertaining, and endearing characters.  If you have to read a classic try Cannery Row!
                 

Any suggestions for my next classic?

    It doesn't happen often that I personally know and grew up with an author, but this is the case with Laura Daleo and her debut novel Immortal Kiss.  To be honest, I wasn't too excited to dive into this novel, another vampire book? But I was pleasantly surprised.  It's great!  The author has a completely different take on the myths of vampires and while there is a love story, there is also suspense, mystery and not to give too much away, but it all goes back to the Ancient Egyptians Gods.   I didn't see that coming! I think  Immortal Kiss is like a smash up of Twilight and Percy Jackson.  I can't wait for the sequel!

Paper Towns

by John Green (author of The Fault in our Stars)

Read the book before the movie comes out this summer-2015!

Spring Time = Book Time!

    I had the opportunity this Spring to hear Gene Luen Yang speak, author of American Born Chinese, which of course inspired me to read his book.  Now, I am not a fan of graphic novel/manga type books.  In fact, this was the first of this kind of book I have ever read, and to be honest I am still not a fan.  I enjoyed hearing Yang speak (he is an excellent public speaker!  If you ever get the chance, do it!) and hearing his explanation of the book.  However, I still found the various plots confusing and odd.  I don't know, maybe it's just me...?

Me and my new friend Gene after he signed a book just for me!

   I did read quite a few books this Spring that I highly recommend ( for the more advanced reader...)  If you read and enjoyed Gone Girl, then I would suggest you read The Good Girl by Mary Kubica.  This is about a wealthy girl who gets kidnapped, but there's a twist!  It's told from the different perspectives of the various character, which I always love in a book.  It is a thrilling read!  

And I know this book has  been out for awhile, but I finally read the Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.  No, it is not just a clever title, it is really about a time traveler and his journey meeting and maintaining his relationship with the love of his wife.  It is exciting, interesting, surprising, and endearing.  Again, it is one of those novels that are told from the different perspectives of the two main characters and it was made into a movie quite a few years ago.

   On a much lighter note, I read Hold Me Closer by David Levithan which is a companion novel to Will Grayson, Will Grayson (co-authored with John Green).  Make sure you read Will Grayson first otherwise, Tiny's musical will not make much sense.  I thought it was entertaining and worth the quick read!

Winter is the perfect time to curl up with a 'blankie" and a book!

Winter 2014-2015

    I just finished reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartte.  It took me awhile to get through the over 800 page novel, but WOW it was worth it!  It is classified as an adult novel, but some older YA readers would definitely enjoy the story line if they are willing to take on the challenge.  It tells the story of 13 year-old Theo, who survives the bombing of a museum, but his mother does not.  Wealthy friends of the family take him in when his father abandons him and the story continues to unfold from there.  This is one of those books that is difficult to book chat- all I can say is that it is worth reading.  You wont want it to end!

    It was difficult to pick up another book after that, but I decided to go back to an author who never fails to entertain me, John Green and Paper Towns.  He does not disappoint in this teen adventure, drama, coming of age story about Quentin and his next door neighbor secret love/crush, Margo.  One night Margo appears in Quentin's bedroom window and takes him on a night of mischief and adventure.  The next day....she disappears.  And the mystery is on!

    Even Librarians get busy around the holidays, and my reading was put on hold for a bit.  One of my (many) new year's resolutions is to get back to some of the classics.  I decided to start with Jack Kerouac's On the Road.  I just started so, I will get back to you wether I give it a thumbs up.

Want to know what your librarian is reading?

Fall 2014

    My favorite of the month so far is Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. Some might call it a love story, but to me it is just about teenage life and trying to survive it!  Eleanor is a misfit, but with a sense of style that attracts Park, your typical teenage boy.  A friendship blossoms based on music- alternative music-with great classic bands like The Ramones and The Smiths.  Throw in some family drama, romance, and a suspenseful ending and you will see end up loving this book too!

    My next read was Little Brother by Cory Doctorow.  To be honest, it is not one of my favorites- it was a little too "techie" for me.  But if you are into computers, video games, and "ARGing" you might enjoy this read.  It takes place in San Francisco after a terrorist attack and Marcus, a teenage gamer, gets mixed up with Homeland Security and the fate of the freedom of the entire society!  

    I thought I would get into the spirit of the month and read Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira which wasn't what I thought it would be, but I do recommend it!  Laurel is a freshmen in high school and her first English assignment is to write a letter to a dead person which turns into a journal of her struggles, life, and friends over the year.  One thing I really like about this book are the dead people she chooses to write to- Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Heath Ledger, plus more and what I learn about them.  This is a quick, easy read!

What I just started reading is a little different- Billy Idol's just released autobiography Dancing with Myself.  I grew up listening to his music and have seen him in concert several times.  Now I am discovering a new side to this rebel-rocker!  So far so good!