Top Ten Tueday-Books Recently Added to My To Be Read List-3/31/15

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish is an easy list! A quick glance at my TBR shelf on Goodreads shows my most recent additions. Here you go:

1. The Last Stand of Dead Men (Skulduggery Pleasant #8) by Derek Landy. I don’t want this series to come to an end, but I have zero self-control, so I will likely plow through. Luckily the books seem to be getting longer, so it’s taking me longer to finish each one.

2. Unsinkable Mercy Wong by Stacey Lee. This one has no specific publication date (2016) or cover, but after finishing Under a Painted Sky I knew I would need to pick up whatever was coming next from Stacey Lee!

3. An Ember in Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. I have an ARC. I really should get going on it!

4. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie. This one was recommended to me by my friend’s brother. It seems fitting that I read this soon since I seem to be on a pretty steady hard sci-fi diet!

5. Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty. I am sort of binging on Liane Moriarty books on audio. She’s a favorite!

6. Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall. This one sounds like a giant, exciting thriller/mystery/dystopian mash-up.

7. Ask the Dark by Henry Turner. Blurbed by Michael Grant? Sure, I’ll check that out!

8. The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Allender. I am very excited about another spooky read for Katie Allender! This one comes out in August.

9. A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis. A twisted historical thriller? Yes, please! Look for this one in October.

10. Alex + Ada by Jonathon Luna. In keeping with my science fiction theme, I have recently added this new sci-fi/romance graphic novel to my list.

I can’t wait to see what other people have recently added to their lists. I suspect my own TBR shelf is about to explode today!

P.S. After completing this post I managed to add a few more…

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Mondays with Megan-Countdown to Baseball Season! 3/30/15

Ok, so it’s not much of a countdown since the season opener for the Cleveland Indians is Wednesday, April 1. That’s just 2 more sleeps my friends. I know some fans are worried about a jinx, but you guys, Sports Illustrated predicts that the Tribe will win the World Series this year!! I say forget about a jinx and enjoy some baseball. Besides, how can you not love this cover? Just look at the joy on Brantley’s face! It’s spring. It’s time to play ball.

Ok, on to some books.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey and Teach Mentor Texts.

Finished:

• Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee-♥♥♥♥♥-Set on the Oregon Trail in 1849, this is the story of two teenaged girls, disguised as boys, trying to outrun their troubles. I will have a better review up this week. I loved this one!
• Law of the Desert Born: a Graphic Novel by Louis L’Amour-♥♥♥♥-My western themed reading last week was intentional and surprisingly enjoyable. This graphic adaptation of a short story is beautifully drawn. I am going to be honest, I really enjoyed all the horses!
• Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta-♥♥♥♥-After witnessing a murder thirteen-year-old Jace is put in protective custody. His handler arranges for him to go off the grid, deep in the Rocky Mountains with a survival group. Hmm, modern western? Anyway, is pursuers are relentless and the chase is on. This is my third 2015 Alex Award winner and it was a twisty-turny thriller.
• The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty-♥♥♥♥-Slower paced and not as suspenseful as her other books, but I found it enjoyable nonetheless.
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling-♥♥♥♥♥-This is my third time reading this book. This time I shared the experience with my nephews.
• Oz: The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum-♥♥♥♥♥-I believe this is the final book in the graphic adaptation series by Eric Shanower. I cannot express enough how gorgeous these books are and how badly I want to own them, but I am afraid that if I did I would cut the pages up to frame. Sigh.
• The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion-♥♥♥♥-This sequel to The Rosie Project was not quite as charming as the first, but still a fun listen.

Current Audio:

• She Got Up Off the Couch by Haven Kimmel. I am loving this one. Just as quirky and hilarious as A Girl Named Zippy.
• Wolf in White Van by John Darnielle. This is another 2015 Alex winner. It’s not my favorite, but I am interested to see where things go and I already know which teens I am going to recommend it to, so all-in-all, a worthwhile endeavor.

Currently Reading:

Currently Watching:

 

I am enjoying Battlestar Galactica and four seasons will keep me busy for a while, especially now that I will be occupied with baseball soon! Birdman was strange. That’s really all I’ve got. Strange.

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Top Ten Tuesday-Books From My Younger Years That I Would Like to Revisit-3/24/15

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is about revisiting books from our past. This a tricky one for me. A couple of years ago I revisited a childhood favorite-A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. What a mistake! I can’t explain what the appeal was 30 years ago, but as an adult I was bored out of my mind. This leaves me hesitant to “ruin” any other beloved memories. Maybe I am just no longer confident that my favorites can stand the test of time?

1. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I have already revisited a few titles in this series, so they are safe!

2. The Serendipity series of books by Stephen Cosgrove. I still have a few battered books from this collection. I should dig them out.

3. The works of Beatrix Potter. How can one ever be disappointed with Peter Rabbit?

4. Trinity by Leon Uris. This book was a right of passage in my family. I read it in high school and have reread it at least twice since then.

5. A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving. Such vivid memories of reading this one in high school.

6. The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. I read this one is college and loved it.

7. Island of the Blue Dolphin by Scott O’Dell. I can remember being obsessed with this book, but I worry it will turn out like my Wrinkle in Time experience…

8. Call of the Wild by Jack London. I feel like I owe my 7th grade teacher a reread of this classic. In typical 12-year old fashion, my class became fixated on how one could possibly stay warm buried in snow. I have no recollection of any other topic of discussion on this book.

I think that’s it for me. I am not much of a rereader to begin with and my TBR list is full of new books that demand my attention!

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Mondays with Megan-Ukrainian Easter Eggs, Year 5. 3/23/15

Good Morning! I hope you have a great weekend. I spent some time Saturday binge-reading at my favorite coffee shop and Sunday I spent the afternoon with my friends making Ukrainian Easter Eggs. I can’t believe this was the fifth year we have been having these gatherings! This year’s creations were mostly nontraditional.

Moving on to book lists…

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

hosted by Book Journey and Teach Mentor Texts

Finished:

• The Undertaking of Lily Chen by Danica Dovgorodoff-♥♥♥♥-In the mountains of Northern China, tradition dictates that every man has a wife to keep him company in the afterlife. Deshi Li is in search of a bride for his dead brother. When his path crosses that of the very much alive (and lively) Lily Chen, they become reluctant travel companions. Gorgeous illustrations accompany this dark story.
• How to Start a Fire by Lisa Lutz-♥♥♥♥♥-Anna, Kate and George are thrown together in college, but the bond the three women forge has the potential to last a lifetime. This new book from the author of The Spellman Files, is spectacular. Very different from what fans are used to, but enthralling nonetheless. The story jumps around in time as secret are slowly revealed. LOVED this one!
• Stiff by Mary Roach-♥♥♥♥-This compelling nonfiction book tells the unusual story of the life of a human corpse. Roach explores the history of cadavers and science. Fascinating and a little gross!
• Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops by Jen Campbell-♥♥♥♥♥-This collection of overheard conversations and questions asked of booksellers is hilarious and sure to tickle the funny bone of any book lover.
• The Party, After You Left by Roz Chast-♥♥♥♥♥-A collection of now classic cartoons that originally appeared The New Yorker, Redbook, and other publications. This collection highlights the absurdities of modern life. Hilarious.

Current Audio:

Currently Reading:

Returned Unfinished:
(Because I am more interested in my other books right now.)

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Top Ten Tuesday-My Spring 2015 TBR List-3/17/15

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish is all about spring reads. I always find these lists to be thrilling and depressing at the same time. Thrilling because it’s a list about books, but depressing because I always check back with my previous season TBR list and usually discover that I hardly read any of the books. I managed 7/14 of my winter reads. So, here are a bunch of books that I will probably *not* manage to read this spring! You know what? Forget that! I am making a list of books I know I *will* read. Let’s be positive about it!

1. Mortal Hearts by Robin LaFevers. I own this one which is why it keeps getting put off. No more! I will read this book!

2. Last Stand of Dead Men by Derek Landy. Totally obsessed with Skulduggery Pleasant. This might be the reason why my other TBR books have been neglected…

3. Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee. Is it cheating that I plan to read this one over the weekend?

4. The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige. I want. I want!

5. Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins.

6. The World Forgot by Martin Leicht. Total silly fluff. Also, the redesigned covers are terrible.

7. The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. All the buzz. Must check it out.

8. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. I have an ARC. I hear good things!

9. Always, Never, Sometimes by Ali Alsaid. I have an ARC of this too.

10. Rivals in the City by Y.S. Lee. I am really excited for another Mary Quinn mystery!

 

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Mondays with Megan-Spring Fever! 3/16/15

Greetings! It’s a gloriously warm day here in Northeast Ohio and all I can think about is sitting on a patio with a book…that day will come eventually. My big exciting news this week is that I *finally* ungraded my phone to a smart phone. It didn’t take long to fall in love with my iphone. One of my favorite features? If you guessed downloading audiobooks, you are correct. It is so easy to do and the library has tons of great titles. See our wonderful collection for yourself here. I personally have my eyes on Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series. It’s been on my To Read list for ages! I think it’s time to create a wish list.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey and Teach Mentor Texts

Finished:

• First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen-♥♥♥♥♥-Readers get to catch up with the Waverlys of Bascomb. A lot has changed for sisters Sydney and Claire since Garden Spells. Just magical and delightful.
• The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson-♥♥♥♥♥-The third installment of the Shades of London series picks up where the cruel cliffhanger of book 2 left off. The story branches out into exciting new territory!
• Saucer Country by Paul Cornell-♥♥♥-When the leading Democratic candidate for president (a Hispanic woman!) claims that she was abducted by aliens her trusted advisers scramble to make sense of her claim. This was an interesting blend of political intrigue and X-Files. It wasn’t my favorite, but I will certainly pick up the second volume.

Current Audio:

• The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty. I am working my way through her collection of work. This is her second book and came to me via Interlibrary Loan. Did you know you could do that? It’s so easy to do. You can do it yourself from our website or ask your favorite librarian to help you!
• Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. This is my first download to my iphone!

Currently Reading: (once again I am kind of all over the place, starting and stopping books left and right)

Sort of Reading: (aka, picking up and putting down, but still interested)

Returned unread:

I am looking forward to another week of awesome reads!

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Top Ten Tuesday-Ten Books For Fans of Supernatural-3/10/15

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish is so open-ended it’s practically a freebie! The topic is the top ten books for people who like X. Solve for X. Since by current television obsession continues to be Supernatural, X=Supernatural.

Dean doesn’t seem to thrilled with his book. Maybe he would prefer one of these:

1. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy. A skeleton detective, ancient gods, necromancers, and all sorts of magic.

2. The Diviners by Libba Bray. Occult murders, flappers, and a really, really creepy house.

3. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson. The ghost of Jack the Ripper once again torments London.

4. Evil Librarian by Michele Knudsen. Two words: Demon librarian.

5. Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore. A family of witches, occult happenings, ghosts, and mischievous goats. For the fans who enjoy the humorous side of the Winchesters!

6. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. The unconsecrated, the walking dead, the living dead, call them what you want, a zombie is a zombie!

7. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Shadowhunters/Demon hunters. Same dif.

8. Gone by Michael Grant. All sorts of messed-up monster action going on here!

9. White Cat by Holly Black. Magic, curses, mobsters!

10. Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Angels, demons, monsters.

Bonus:

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Top Ten Tuesday-ALL TIME FAVORITES 2012-2015 3/3/15

Before I get into this week’s Top Ten list, I want to share this blog post that was written by one of my favorite YA authors, A.S. King. Not only is she a brilliant writer, but based on articles like this, she is obviously an amazing human being. I urge any of you who work with or live with teenagers to take a moment and read what she has to say. This post came from hippodilly circus. Once you are finished, come on back for some TTT fun!

This week for Top Ten Tuesday The Broke and the Bookish are looking for our all-time favorites (from the past 3-5 years).

From 2012:

1. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride. Devilishly dark humor.

2. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. I just loved this sweet romance.

3. Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Totally obsessed with cyborg Cinder.

4. Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt. There’s just something about Doug and the birds.

5. I am the Messenger by Marcus Zusak. This is one of the few books that I have read more than once. I think I have read it three times now. I adore it so much.

6. The Diviners by Libba Bray. This one was so creepy!

From 2013:

7. Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson. This one is never on the shelf at the library because I keep making people read it.

8. Winger by Andrew Smith. I read this one in one sitting on my front porch.

From 2014:

9. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers. I can’t believe it took me so long to pick this one up. I now own the series. I still need to read the last one.

10. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy. I tend to become a little obsessed when I find something I like. Current obsession is this series.

11. Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg. This is the type of romance books I like.

12. I’ll Give you the Sun by Jandy Nelson. ALL. MY. LOVE.

13. Out of the Easy by Ruta Septys. This is the kind of book that makes me read historical fiction.

If you are in my neighborhood, stop in the Teen Room and check out the Top Ten Tuesday display. I am trying something new! The display does not match this post exactly because so many of my all-time favorites are checked out, but you’ll find more amazing titles for you to try.

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Mondays with Megan-Teen Think Tank Wrap-up 3/2/15

Good afternoon evening (oye, this day got away from me) friends!

I had a busy weekend of work this past weekend. On Friday I the almost 3 hour journey to Lima, Ohio to attend my very first Teen Think Tank meeting. About 40 teen librarians from around the state gathered at the Lima Public Library for a day filled with fun activities. We did crafts! We talked about books! We learned new games! I am so excited to incorporate some of the things I learned into my own programs. I think the thing I am most looking forward to trying is the website Kahoot! I know my teens are going to love playing trivia this way.

Finished:

• French Milk by Lucy Knisley- ♥♥♥ The author and cartoonist’s debut work, chronically her month in Paris with her mother. Charming and full of food!
• Wild Rover No More by L.A. Meyer-♥♥♥♥♥ The final chapter of Jacky Faber’s story. A satisfying end to one of my favorite series.
• I Work at a Public Library by Gina Sheridan-♥♥♥♥ An accurate portrayal of a day in the life at a library. Never a dull moment!
• Death Bringer by Derek Landy-♥♥♥♥♥ Book six in my new favorite series! More murder and mayhem abound.

Current Audio

• First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen-I am never disappointed by Sarah Addison Allen.
• The Last American Vampire by Seth Grahame-Smith-Slowly but surely making my way through this one. If only the weather would cooperate so I can get back to daily walking!

Currently Reading

Harry Potter is a re-read for me. My nephews are experiencing for the first time!

On Deck

Current TV Obsessions

Happy Reading!

~Megan