Mondays with Megan-What Are You Reading? 1/18/16

It’s a quiet, snowy Monday morning here at the library, so I thought I would take a few minutes to actually write a new blog post. Admittedly, this poor spot has been neglected for a couple of months. I have been busy doing after school programs every day, managing a new collection (adult science fiction and fantasy, I am so excited!), creating readers advisory pamphlets for the teen collection, and revamping my summer reading plans (yes, summer reading!). I still have plenty to say about books, but not a lot of time to say it in a blog. I have been talking books with my Wednesday night colleagues over on the library’s Facebook page. If you are interested in a live chat, be sure to visit us Wednesdays 7:30-8:30, pm.

So far this year my reading has been driven by the Cybils Awards. I am a Round 2 judge for the Young Adult Speculative Fiction category. I have seven books to read, review, and discuss with my fellow judges before we announce the winner in February. I am not permitted to review any of the books here yet, but check out the link above if you curious about what I have been reading.

With the new year also comes a new set of reading goals. I use Goodreads to keep track of my reading and have challenged myself to read or listen to 250 books this year. That’s crazy, I know, but I am going to try. Graphic novels totally count towards that goal. I might have to create my own mini-readathons throughout the year. In addition to the number of books I want to read, I have some goals for the types of books as well. I need to become more familiar with adult science fiction and fantasy, so I will be reading more in that area. I also feel like it is time to read more of the popular authors who always have enormous holds lists (I’m looking at you Grisham and Patterson). I know they are already popular and don’t need me to talk them up, but if I have a better sense of why they are so popular I can better recommend other titles that readers might not necessarily seek out. So, I suppose my true reading goal this year is to widen my reader’s advisory expertise!

I warned you I still have a lot to say 😉 Moving along.

Finished:

    

• A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton-3/5. Originally published in 1982, this book introduces PI Kinsey Milhone. I will pick up more of this series.
• After You by Jojo Moyes-4/5. The follow-up to Me Before You. Sweet, sad, and hopeful. Lovely.
• A Northern Light by Jennifer Connelly-4/5. Historical fiction based on the real life murder of Grace Brown in 1906. I don’t know why it took me so long to read this one!
• The Innocent by David Baldacci-3/5. The first of the Will Robie series. Will is paid assassin for the U.S. government. Plenty of action!
• The Tournament at Gorlan by John Flanagan-5/5. The first book in The Early Years series, features a young Halt! I love everything about the Rangers and am so excited for a new series!

Currently Reading:

     

Current Audio:

 

On Deck:

  

Ok, that’s enough for today!

Happy Reading!

~Megan

 

Mondays with Megan-The Force Awakens Soon!

Is everyone refreshed after a long weekend? I worked Friday and Sunday, but I still had a fantastic weekend. Thanksgiving was spent in Columbus with a small gathering of family. We listened to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on the drive there and back. We also took a little field trip to The Gates of Hell. It super creepy! The pic on the right is me, my nephew and my cousin. That is pretty much as far as we got into the dark, echoing tunnel.

Saturday was spent lounging around reading and continuing my Star Wars marathon.

This was my first time seeing Episodes II and III and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I like them. My 10 year old nephew LOVED them! Hopefully we will squeeze Episodes IV-VI before the new movie comes out.

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

Finished: 

• The Fate of Ten by Pittacus Lore-♥♥♥♥♥. The epic alien invasion begins…and ends on a giant cliffhanger, as usual.
• This is Your Life, Harriet Chance by Jonathan Evison-♥♥♥♥
• Dr. Mütter’s Marvels by Cristin O’Keefe Apotwicz-♥♥♥♥. I seem to gravitate towards strange or gruesome nonfiction and this one certainly fits the bill. Dr. Mütter was a pioneering American surgeon who revolutionized the science of surgery. Fans of the show The Knick will want to check this one out! Also, I now have to add The Mütter Museum in Philadelphia to my list of weird places to visit!
• Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris-♥♥♥♥. I first read this collection of stories years ago, so I was delighted to discover the edition I selected to listen to had six new stories! Santaland Diaries is just as funny as I remember and I have found a new favorite in 6 to 8 Black Men, a story about Christmas traditions in Holland. For the reader who dislikes the schmaltzy Christmas stories. These are sardonic and hilarious.
• Winter by Marissa Meyer-♥♥♥♥♥. The Lunar Chronicles has come to an end. WHY?!? After 800+ pages, I am still not ready for it to be over. A perfect ending to a favorite series.

Current Audio:

Currently Reading:

Currently Obsessed With:

Happy Reading!

~Megan

 

Mondays with Megan-Mockingjay, Part 2-11/23/15

Happy Monday! I had a weekend full of films and fun. On Saturday my brother and nephew came over and we watched Star Wars Episode 1: Phantom Menace. We are working our way through the series to prepare for the new release in December. Despite having seen Episodes 4-6 many times, I have never seen 1-3. Yesterday I saw Mockingjay Part 2 with my sister and her boyfriend’s thirteen-year-old daughter. I really love Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss and very much enjoyed the final movie. The thirteen-year-old also liked it, but could not get over the fact that a stranger would give their baby to Katniss. So of course I had to do some research! The babies at the end of the movie are Jennifer Lawrence’s nephews. Seeing the film series end kind of made me want to reread the books. We’ll see!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is brought to you by Teach Mentor Texts.

Finished: In the two weeks since I last wrote a Monday post I have accomplished so little that I can actually easily include all of my finished books here.

     

• Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King-♥♥♥♥. This collection of short stories features both brand new and previously published works. As with most collections of stories some shine and some are merely fine. The real treat here is that the author introduces each story and explains how or why he came to write it.
• Wytches by Scott Snyder-♥♥♥♥. You thought you knew everything about witches? Forget what Disney has to say, these crones are terrifying! The evil lurks just under the surface and watches through the trees. This was a fantastic opening volume and the art work is simply stunning. Over and over I marveled at how intriguing and gorgeous the hideous images were.
• The Straw King (Dorothy Must Die #0.5) by Danielle Page-♥♥♥♥. In this fifth prequel novella readers learn more about the Scarecrow. All he ever wanted was a brain, but he soon discovers that knowledge may not be enough to protect his throne from an invading army. Another fun addition to the Dorothy Must Die family.
• Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith-♥♥♥♥♥. The third book in the Cormoran Strike series is now my favorite. Someone from Cormoran’s past is targeting Robin and the agency, driving away business and putting both PIs in danger. Can Cormoran figure out who it is before it’s too late?
• The Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling-♥♥♥♥♥. Still a favorite, 5-star read. I am loving rereading these books while my nephews discover them for the first time. On to Goblet of Fire!
• The String Diaries by Stephen Lloyd Jones-♥♥♥♥♥. Hannah and her family are on the run from a centuries old monster; a Hungarian shapeshifter bent on revenge. Told from three points of view, the story unravels at a break-neck pace, sucking readers in and constantly confusing them with the monster’s identity. This is the first book in ages that has kept me up long past bedtime! Absolutely loved it!

Current Audio:

 

• The Fate of Ten by Pittacus Lore. Admittedly this is not the best series ever written, but I kind of need to know how things end. Also, they are just kind of fun!
• 14 by Peter Clines. I am still not sure why I requested this one from another library, but so far, I am glad I did. It’s like The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (minus angry spirits) meets Lost and then gets turned into an episode of Scooby Doo. Again, quite fun.

Currently Reading:

  

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Mondays With Megan-New Games For After School Programs! 11/9/15

Hello Friends! Happy Monday. It was really hard to drag myself in to work today, but after a lot of coffee and morning shopping trip I can’t wait show the teens all the things I bought them. First I bought myself a little organizing tool (I totally splurged for the neon markers).

This week there is at least on teen program every single day. Some days there are two!

Today in the Teen Room you can play Exploding Kittens! I love The Oatmeal web comics and this card game does not disappoint. Also, it’s really fun to say that we will have exploding kittens in the teen room. I also grabbed Bananagrams and Yahtzee! I am ready for cold weather afternoons.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Teach Mentor Text, be sure to stop by and see what others are reading!

Finished:

    

• Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola-♥♥♥♥. The famously fearsome witch, Baba Yaga is looking for an assistant in this fantastic debut graphic novel. Masha learned all about magic from her beloved grandmother. When her grandmother dies and her father brings home a girlfriend, Masha feels lost in the world. Seeking a place to fit in, she enters the woods in search of Baba Yaga. Is she clever enough match wits with the old witch and her magic house?
• The Mystery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos-♥♥♥. Imogene and her father have been a team since her mother left them when she was a baby. When Imogene is seventeen her father, once a forensic pathologist and now a well-known writer of medical mysteries, disappears, she decides to apply everything she has learned from his books and track him down. Her search leads her to answers to questions she has asked her whole life. This debut is a quiet but engaging story. The mystery is more of a puzzle and it is the vehicle for a great deal of personal reflection and discussion of mental illness.
• The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt-♥♥♥♥♥. I’m not sure I really need to say anything about this one. It’s adorable.
• The Eye of Zoltar by Jasper Fforde-♥♥♥♥♥. This third installment of The Chronicles of Kazam is my favorite. Jennifer Strange has new task: find the legendary magical item known as The Eye of Zoltar and babysit the spoiled princess of the Kingdom of Snodd. The quest is dangerous with a fatality rating of 50%, but lives depend on her success. This under appreciated series has it all-magic, adventure, humor, and dragons. I can’t recommend this series enough.
• The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trail of the Century by Sarah Miller-♥♥♥♥♥. I devoured my advance reader copy of this book over the weekend. I love nonfiction that reads like a suspense novel, and this book certainly delivers. Miller offers a well-researched narrative of the investigation of the murders of Lizzie Borden’s parents. I realized that I actually knew very little about what was known as the trail of the century. Grisly and compelling. I can’t wait to add this to my collection and recommend it to my teens!

Current Audio:

 

Currently Reading:

  

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Mondays with Megan-It’s Monday! What Are You

Happy Monday! I spent all of last week in lovely Cincinnati, Ohio attending the Ohio Library Council Conference and Expo. I am still trying to digest all the great information I picked up…and catch up on all the normal stuff I missed here at the library, so this check in will be short and sweet. I read some books. I listened to some books. I binged all of The Mindy Project. I am excited Supernatural season 10 dropped on Netflix. My friend got to meet Rainbow Rowell and she got me a signed copy of Carry On! That’s a pretty good week, if you ask me!

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

Finished:

• Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen-♥♥♥♥. This is a reimagining of the Peter Pan story, told from Hook’s point of view. Forget everything you thought knew about Neverland and Peter’s band of Lost Boys! This is a magical and fantastical adventure!
• Stand Off  by Andrew Smith-♥♥♥♥. This sequel to Winger starts with a new school year, Ryan Dean West’s senior year. In addition to having a claustrophobic 12-year old as a roommate, Ryan Dean struggles with the emotional aftermath of losing his best friend. This book did not engage me in the way Winger did, but I am not the target audience. Ryan Dean has an amazing teen voice and coping with anxiety is an important topic. A welcomed sequel.
• Alex + Ada, vol. 3 by Sarah Vaughn-♥♥♥♥. The story arc that began with volumes 1 and 2 comes to a surprising conclusion. Fear and hatred of sentient robots is rising and Alex and Ada are in increasing danger. The events in this volume took me by surprise and I am intrigued to see where the story goes.
• Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys-♥♥♥♥♥. As WWII draws to an end thousands of refugees look to escape East Prussia. The luxury ship Wilhelm Gustloff offers the promise of freedom. Among the refugees are Florian, Emilia, and Joana are among the crowd. They are all strangers and they all have secrets, but working together they may survive. This book is due out in February and you will want to grab it up the second you see it. Ruta Septys delivers another devastating work of historical fiction. Powerful and heartbreaking, she once again brings light to lesser known atrocities of WWII.

Current Audio:

I am almost finished with The Martian and I am currently between audiobooks on my phone. I can’t decide what I am in mood for right now.

Currently Reading:

This rarely happens, but today I get to pick all new books to read! I need to pick a print book and an e-book. I have so many choices my head is spinning! I think I am going to start with these:

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Mondays with Megan-Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon & Cybils Awards-10/5/15

Happy Monday! It’s a gorgeous day here in Cleveland and I have the day off. Lucky me! I have gotten my reading groove back and have read and listened to some great books this week. But first, a couple of bits of news. First, it’s time for another Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon! I missed the spring readathon because I was meeting my new nephew in April, but I am all registered for the October 17th event. You can sign up too! The second bit of news is that I was selected to be a judge for the Cybils Awards again. This time around I will be a Round 2 YA Speculative Fiction. There is still time to nominate titles, so head on over to the Cybil site if you are interested.

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

Finished:

     

Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett and Manhattan Project, vol. 1 by Jonathan Hickman were both recommended to me by patrons-♥♥♥

The others were all amazing! I am really loving the Ms. Marvel series and Lockwood & Co has taken an interesting turn. Walk the Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson is the first book in a new trilogy. Who new westerns could be so awesome? ♥♥♥♥♥ to all four!

Current Audio:

 

Currently Reading:

   

On Deck:

  

I am off to enjoy my day off!

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Mondays with Megan-Celebrate Your Right to Read! 9/28/15

Happy Monday! It’s that time of year again, when we celebrate the right to read and reflect on the book that have been challenged and banned over the past year. According to the American Library Association’s Office For Intellectual Freedom the number one challenged book of 2014 was Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. You can find the rest of the Top Ten most frequently challenged books here. For even more information about why books are challenged be sure to check out these charts.

As a librarian I respect everyone’s right to choose what is best for themselves. If you are offended by something, that is fine because you don’t have to read it! That’s your right and that is awesome. But please don’t try to tell other people they can’t either. How about you just worry about you? Ok? Thanks! Now, let me step off my soapbox and tell you what I have been reading.

 It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Teach Mentor Texts. Be sure to stop by for more great reading suggestions.

Finished:

• A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis-♥♥♥♥. Grace Mae is banished to an insane asylum when her family discovers she is pregnant. The events that led to her being in this condition were unspeakable, and therefore, Grace stopped speaking. Her silence became her salvation and with the help of a doctor she escaped to Ohio. She and the doctor worked together to prove that the new idea of criminal psychology could help solve crimes. This haunting historical fiction has some great twists and turn. I loved the characters, especially the girls at the Ohio asylum. Watch for this new book from local Ohio author when it comes out October 6th!
• It’s a Wonderful Death by Sarah J. Schmitt-♥♥♥♥. RJ wasn’t supposed to die that day, but when her soul is accidentally collected all hell breaks loose, so to speak, in the Afterlife. RJ demands to be sent back to life, but it’s not as simple as that. I will have a full review of this up soon! It’s a quick, fun read full of plenty of things to think about. Stay tuned. Or just trust me know, and add it to your reading list.

Current Audio:

I will be finished with both of these books in the next couple of days. I really like them both.

Currently Reading:

I am six books behind on my reading goal. I need to step up my games!

On Deck:

The Martian is “assigned” reading from a book club teen. I can’t wait to dig in to Stand Off and The Hero of Ages.

DNF:

I tried. I really tried.

TV binging:

…and this is why my reading is suffering! It’s time to grab a stack of graphic novels and binge on those!

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Mondays with Megan-Teen Think Tank #2 9/20/15

Last week I had the great privilege of attending my second Teen Think Tank conference. This is an amazing group of Ohio Teen Librarians who get together twice a year to talk about teen services. It’s a day of learning, connecting, sharing, and crafting and it is such a valuable resource. I am really excited to try some of the Gross Games I learned about with my teens. I was inspired to add some technology activities to my after school repertoire and I picked up a couple of great craft ideas. One of the most informative presentations was about serving LGBTQ+ teens. I think I have a pretty solid collection of materials but I learned of a few more that I need to add. I myself presented a segment on feed teens on a budget. Basically a griddle and instant pancake mix will turn you into a hero among the teens. I add mini chocolate chips, eliminating the need for syrup and silverware! I have also made cheese quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches on my griddle, all at a fraction of the cost of bags of chips and bottles of pop. In fact, I have completely eliminated sugary beverages from all my programs. It’s all water, all the time and NO ONE has complained! Try it; it can’t hurt!

 It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Teach Mentor Texts. Be sure to stop over for more great reading suggestions!

Finished:

• The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh-♥♥♥♥♥. The land of Khorasan is ruled by a monster. The young king takes a new bride each night and each morning a silk rope is wrapped around her neck. Sharhzad, who lost her best friend to this man, is out for revenge. She volunteers to be his next wife with the intention of killing him herself. In order to exact her revenge she needs to survive past dawn, so she begins to tell him a story, always leaving the next part for another night. I loved this one! Lovely storytelling, a gorgeous setting, and diverse characters. I am looking forward to listening to the second book.
• Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore-♥♥♥♥♥. In this sequel to A Dirty Job, Moore picks up where he left off. The souls of San Fransisco are not being collected. The old crew is back in action with the help of a Golden Gate Bridge painter, who may be the key to figuring out who is stealing souls. Lewd, crude, and ridiculously funny. Not for the young reader, but I did just recommend the duology to one of my high school readers.
• You’re Never Weird on the Internet (almost) by Felicia Day-♥♥♥♥♥. Felicia Day is known in many circles at the Queen of the Nerds. In her memoir she talks at length about her love of gaming, her internet show The Guild, and her health issues. She reads the audiobook and it is truly delightful. This is a must read for fan, but people not familiar with her work can still appreciate her insight.

Current Audio:

• Player of Games by Iain M. Banks. Occasionally I like to get recommendations from my teen readers. I have my book club kids write down two titles they think I should read and then I randomly select 1-2. This was my most recent pick. It’s super weird and the person who recommended it hasn’t read it himself. He just thought it would be something I like. At first I was teeny bit miffed (I thought you wanted me to read it so we could talk about it!) but then I realize I do that to them ALL THE TIME. Turnabout is fair play.
• Lockwood & Co. 3: The Hollow Boy by Jonathan Stroud. This series is great on audio and it is almost the perfect time of year for them! Teenage ghost hunters!

Currently Reading: I have been in a MAJOR reading slump.

• A Madness so Discreet by Mindy McGinnis. I have been reading this one forever. It’s really good and I am enjoying it, I just have no time for digital ARCs right now. I should stop requesting them for a while!
• Tonight the Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales. I love this author, so I hope this book with help me with my reading mojo!

On Deck:

What an awesome way to start a Monday! This lovely book arrived in the mail for me! The cover blurb is by Mike Mullin, author of the Ashfall Trilogy (LOVED that series!) and he says it is “A snarky joyride of a book with a deep moral core; long after you’ve finished laughing you’ll still be thinking about RJ’s journey and perhaps asking yourself: what defines a life well lived?”

Um, yes, please!

Happy Reading!

~Megan

 

 

 

Mondays With Megan 9/14/15

Hi All! It’s a little late in the day and I have some Netflix to binge, so this will be a quick check-in.

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

Finished:

    

• The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson-♥♥♥♥♥. I am hooked on this series. I can’t wait to start book 3.
• In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware-♥♥♥♥♥. A fast-paced psychological thriller. Solid debut.
• Con Academy by Joe Schreiber-♥♥♥♥. One of many new YA books with con artists. The summer trend?
• Ice Twins by S.K. Tremayne-♥♥♥♥♥. Another amazing suspense/thriller. Creepy twins for the win.
• The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson-♥♥♥♥. Classic horror. I am ready for Halloween!

Current Audio:

 

Currently Reading:

 

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Mondays with Megan-School is in Session and I am Back on the Blog! 8/31/15

Hello and Happy Monday! As you may have noticed my two weeks of vacation turned into three weeks of not blogging. Now that school has started again and I have packed my weekly schedule with tons of after school programs this seems like the *perfect* time to turn some attention to my neglected blog. *Sigh*

I am super excited about all the new after school programs we are offering this year. On Tuesdays I will be hosting an open lab in our state of the art computer training center. The large screen computers are perfect for playing games and Minecraft! This Wednesday will be the first meeting of the Library Literati, a new group for fans of all things bookish. Thursdays will be the Teen Scene. I’ll be flipping pancakes and have a casual activity available each week. This week’s activity will be Lego building challenges. No need to register, just stop in after school!

I had an amazing trip out west to visit my sister and her family (including my adorable new nephew). I woke up every morning to mama cows yelling outside the windows. We camped in Custer National Forest, did a day trip to Yellowstone, and spend many hot afternoons sitting in the creek on the farm. It was so relaxing and busy at the same time. I hardly did any reading, which was fine, but it turned into a slump when I returned home. In three weeks I have only finished six books and three of them were audiobooks!

Finished:

• Unhinged by A.G. Howard- ♥♥♥. This second book in the Splintered trilogy has Alyssa trying to deal with Morpheus on her own turf. Wonderland is in trouble, but if Alyssa returns she will be in danger. If she stays Jeb and her family will be in danger. I am enjoying this series, but was disappointed to find that the last book is not available on audio. I suppose I will have to use my eyes to find out how things end!
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling-♥♥♥♥♥. Three of my nephews are finally old enough to be reading Harry Potter for the first time! I am loving revisiting these beloved books.
• Among the Ten Thousand Things by Julia Pierpont-♥♥♥♥. This debut novel tells the story of a family falling apart. Jack and Deb’s marriage is already rocky when an anonymous package arrives detailing all of Jack’s dirty little secrets. To make matters worse, his children were the first to discover the box. The cover quote saying it’s the funniest book ever is totally misleading. This one is not for the young reader.
• Rocket Girl by Brandon Monclare-♥♥♥. This is the first volume of a new graphic novel series featuring a teen cop from the future who is sent back in time to 1986 to prevent a future disaster. The time line is a little wonky and hard to get used to, but the gadgets are cool and the characters are interesting. I will watching for more!
• Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson-♥♥♥♥♥. I finally took the plunge and started a new fantasy series. In a world covered with ash and ruled by an immortal god known as the Lord Ruler, one man has made it his life’s mission to destroy the final empire. At his side is a band of rebels and a street urchin who is unaware of the powers she possesses. This is an exciting opener to the series. Strong world building, well-developed characters, political intrigue, and a unique take on magic. In the world of the final empire magic is derived from metals. I dove into book two this morning!

Current Audio:

• The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson. I decided to dive right into book two of The Final Empire series.
• The Diviners by Libba Bray. I am rereading (first time listening) in preparation for Lair of Dreams.

Currently Reading:

• Pretending to Be Erica by Michelle Painchaud.
• A Madness so Discreet by Mindy McGinnis

DNF:

• The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. I don’t know why I didn’t click with this one. I gave up when it took a turn towards The Selection.

Happy Reading!

~Megan