Audiobooks: Yay, Nay, or Eh?

One of the really awesome things about working in the Library is the access to stuff. This is a bookworm's dream, you guys: I'm surrounded, all day, every day, by books. And movies. And audiobooks. I mean, stories are everywhere! And it is incredibly awesome.

Surrounded by so many stories, in a variety of formats, I'm constantly finding new things that catch my wandering reading eye. While there are some things that are just not (and never will be) "my thing," there have been quite a few books pass through that are intriguing. Different, not necessarily something I'd pick up if I were browsing, but because I'm actually handling them (either checking in/out, or processing as new books), that extra little time catches my attention. As a result, I'm starting to stretch my reading habits. Like adding graphic novels, and authors I've always heard of but never read before. And, perhaps the most revolutionary change: I started listening to audiobooks. Shocking, but true.

I'm not sure why I avoided them so long. Growing up, I loved listening to people read, especially in the evenings, as I filled pages with doodles and sketches. But I could never make the shift to listening to a prerecorded audiobook. Weird, I know. I check out so many books on CD to people though, that one day I impulsively grabbed John Green's An Abundance of Katherines off the shelf.

This was a double-first actually: I'd never listened to an audiobook and I'd never read anything by John Green. If you're going to experiment, make it count, right? It took a little adjusting to the difference in experience from reading the words for myself and listening to them, but on the whole it was a satisfactory endeavor. I enjoyed the story, and I liked using my driving time "productively." So I checked out another one, as soon as I finished Katherines. I last through one disc of Ender's Game before I had to give up on it. I quickly discovered the downfall of audiobooks: you can't skim.

At this point I should probably confess: I have been known to skim while reading. If a story bogs down, or there's a section I just don't "feel," I skim over it. When I was listening to Ender's Game, I felt antsy. Twitchy. I wanted to skim over some places, but I couldn't -- I had to listen to every word. So I bailed, and the next three audiobooks were well-beloved classics: Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility and Little Women.

Getting to listen to these books, which I've read many times apiece, was a new experience. One that let me interact with the stories in new ways, and I found myself falling in love with the characters and events all over again. I think I found my favorite audiobook choice: familiar stories, whether classics or just previously read. Of course, I'll still experiment -- there are several new young adult audiobooks that keep catching my eye -- but I've discovered that sometimes the "old reliable" is the best choice.

Do you listen to audiobooks? Do you pick authors and/or titles you know, or do you experiment? Are you ever tempted to skim, and annoyed that you can't?

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Archdale Library would like to wish you and your families a very happy Thanksgiving!

The Library will be closed

Thursday, Friday and Saturday (November 28-30th)

and reopen on Monday, bright and early, at 9am.

Enjoy this long weekend with your family and friends!

Friday thoughts

On this still-a-little-chilly Friday, I thought I'd just share some random thoughts (and links!) ... Like "what on earth happened to September and October?" This year has been flying by, and as November swiftly slides towards Thanksgiving and the holiday season, things will just seem to go even faster. Sounds like a good time to curl up with a hot drink and let your mind wander ... enjoy the quiet while it lasts ...

Want to see some too-cute mugs for holding that hot drink you're sipping? The crew over at EpicReads found some absolutely adorable ones, you can check out their finds here. While you're poking around on their blog, this Guide to Afternoon Tea might be of interest. (I confess, I don't always follow "the rules of tea" ... I rush things sometimes).

Movies are always a big thing around the holidays, and I for one am very excited about Thor: The Dark World; Frozen; and Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug. There's also already a lot of talk about movies coming out next year (Captain America: Winter Solider, anyone? And, of course, the final Hobbit installment!). One of the coolest things to me about movies right now is how many novels are turning movies -- I mentioned that earlier this year -- but there's been an increase in YA novels that are hitting the big screen. Here's a list of 13 upcoming YA movies, some have release dates some are still in the works. I'm personally most excited about The Scorpio Races, because I fell in love with that book.

Look at this vintage ad for a library: isn't it awesome?

To see more, swing by here ... and consider yourself forewarned: you can get very distracted clicking links and tracking through their various lists and etc. But it's fun, and I think we should try to bring back some of these vintage ads -- they're just plain cool.

While you're following links around the interwebs, have you followed us on twitter yet? And don't forget to check out our instagram feed!

Summer Reading, Part 2

Can you believe it's already the middle of August? Summer Reading here at the Library has officially ended, which means winners have been chosen and prizes distributed! It's an exciting time, for sure. Of course, this also means that "summer reading" itself is technically pretty much over. Unless you're like me, and have decided to make the whole of August an official "end of summer readathon". In the spirit of squeezing out every last drop of summer reading goodness, here's another list of reading suggestions to ease the transition into fall ...

Beautiful Day 
Elin Hilderbrand
A perfect summery read, set in Nantucket (which is both slightly foreign to this Southern reader, but also familiar in that beachy haunt sort of way), and focused on a single weekend. A wedding weekend. With lots of family drama - but the good kind, that shows how much everybody does love each other - and carefully woven backstory, centered around The Notebook, which Beth Carmichael wrote her youngest daughter Jenna (the bride) before she died, detailing the perfect Future Wedding. Told from multiple perspectives, Beautiful Day is like an insider's peek into another family (or few), and discovering that families everywhere are not so different after all.

Rocket Boys 
Homer Hickam, Jr
Have you seen October Sky? Well, this memoir is the true story of Homer Hickam and his rocket-building buddies, as they grew up in the changing coal town of Coalwood in the days of Sputnik. It's an enjoyable read, knowledgeable without being too technical, familiar without becoming exhausting or rambling. If you've seen the movie, it's fun learning "the rest of the story" -- and if you haven't seen the movie, it's a great experience to bring the story to life.

The Tale of Despereaux
Kate DiCamillo
Another book-turned-movie, this is the engaging and delightful tale of a mouse who loves a (human) princess and longs to be a knight. A hero. He also reads books, which is frowned upon by the mouse community, and earns wee Despereaux a trip to the dungeon. With the rats. Rats who are plotting evil schemes. Like kidnapping the Princess. Fear not, Readers, this is not a sad story. But it is an adventure, and as the characters develop - and begin to weave in and out of each other's lives - it becomes a wonderful adventure. (The movie is pretty cute too).

An Adundance of Katherines
John Green
I actually listened to this as my first ever audiobook (stayed tuned for thoughts on audiobooks, once I've completed a few more experiments). It was also my first ever John Green novel, which is perhaps hard to believe if you're aware of his huge online presence. It's an amusing book, taking place the summer of Colin's high school graduation -- and an epic breakup with Katherine XIX. Yes, he's had nineteen different girlfriends named Katherine. After his best friend decides a roadtrip is in order, the boys find themselves in Gut Shot, Tennessee -- which ends up being a surprisingly beneficial place to spend your summer. Colin creates an extremely complex theorem to explain/predict "Dumping", but more than that, he learns what it is to live. Sometimes I found myself laughing out loud. Sometimes I wondered just what on earth was going on. It's a summer read, literally, and not a bad introduction to John Green.

Here's the remaining days of Summer, and to making Summer Reading last as long as possible! And then, shifting gears and finding cozy, cold-weather reads ...

Reading: The Year-Round Sport

Summer Reading Finale!

For the "Dig Into Reading!" Summer Reading Finale, we had a special concert featuring the kids' rock band Big, Bang, Boom!

The band was great, and the kids (and adults) seemed to really love the show. What a great way to end a summer of fun programming! Below are some of the highlights of the show ...

A huge "THANK YOU!" to all the special guests and performers who helped make this year's summer reading so great! We had a blast here at the Library, and hope you did too!

Storytime with Smokey the Bear!

There was a special visitor for preschool storytime yesterday:

Smokey the Bear!

The kids loved seeing Smokey, and many brought their favorite teddy bears for a special contest

Smokey was a great guest, and everyone had a lot of fun!

What a fun summer storytime! You never know what's going to happen next at the Library, or who might come visit. Don't forget to check our schedule, Summer Reading is almost over and you don't want to miss anything!

July Events

Whew, it's already July 10th! Summer is simply flying by! But don't worry: there are still plenty of fun events happening at the Library ... See what's on tap for the rest of July:

Summer Reading Programs
(School-age Children, K-8)

• July 17th: Captain Jim is Magic!
  Archdale Parks & Rec Building @ 10:30am
• July 24th: Dig into the Past with Wendall Wadell
  Archdale Parks & Rec Building @ 10:30am
• July 25th: Movie Time: Gnomeo & Juliet
  Archdale Library @ 2:30pm
• July 31st: Leash on Life, Dog Obedience Training
  Archdale Parks & Rec Building @ 10:30am

Preschool Storytime

• Every Thursday morning at 10am and 10:30am
• July 18th: Smokey the Bear will visit @ 10:30am
  Bring your favorite teddy bear!
  

Young Adult

• July 17th: The Hobbit <-- earn bonus entry in The Great Hobbit Quest!
  Archdale Library @ 2pm

Summer Reading Pictures

Summer Reading programming is taking the week off, since it's America's birthday, so how about a peek at some of the fun we've been having?

NC Fossil Club

Fish the Magish!

NC Museum of Natural Science: Bats

There's still plenty of summer fun left, including next week when the North Carolina Zoo will be doing a program on "Under Foot" animals (Wednesday, July 10th, 10:30am, Parks & Rec Building)! Hope to see you there!

Summer Reading, Part 1

Have you registered for the Summer Reading program at the Library? We've got options for children, teens and adults! You can win cool prizes, and all you have to do is read and write a quick review sharing your thoughts on the books. You can catch all the details here, or just come in the Library and ask!

I don't know about you, but I love reading during the summer. Of course, I love to read year-round, but there's something special about summer ... Maybe it goes back to summer vacations, and staying up all night reading to the end of a book. Or maybe it's simply the fact that on hot, humid Southern summer afternoons, the only thing you want to do is be still with a cold drink and a good book, staying cool until the sun sets. Regardless, summer reading has a special place in my heart, and is a time for me to be particularly free in my reading selection. I have a tendency to reread old favorites, pick up fluffy contemporary "chick lit"-type novels, or explore the Classics. That's my plan for this summer as well, but I also think I'm going to experiment a little ... maybe try some new things.

To help you find some great reads for the summer (and entries into the giveaways!), I'm going to do a series of summer reading suggestions. Here's the first installment ...

 The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom
Christopher Healy
Through some blogger connections I've made the last several years, I have discovered the untapped greatness of Middle Grades fiction. Don't let the "target age range" turn you off, some of these are definitely readable for adults too! Like Hero's Guide, the first in a series that turns classic fairy tales on their head. Featuring the Prince Charmings we all think we know, Healy spins a tale that has more twists and turns than a pretzel in a maze. Colorful characters, unexpected villains and conspiracies, and just plain hilarious storytelling makes this a quick, fun read. I loved it, and look forward to the rest of the series!

 The Movement of Stars
Amy Brill
Lovers of historical fiction will appreciate this one, as will the stargazers and those who love those stories that take a character through a hugely developmental journey. I'll be honest, the star-thing is what caught my attention, and when I realized this was a much more detailed and involved novel? So much the better. It's not a quick read, but it's a worthwhile read. Hannah has always been a stargazer, tracking and observing the heavens, searching for an undiscovered comet to call her own. As a woman, in conservative Quaker Nantucket, Hannah's passions make her something of an oddity, even as she strives desperately to blend in. Things start changing when Isaac Martin - seaman from the Azores - walks in and begins to take lessons in navigation and observation from Hannah. Suddenly, everything is questioned, challenged, and Hannah begins to find her own answers. She grows. And that, reading friends, is the most beautiful part of this whole lovely novel. Hannah's a character I think we can all relate to, and her journey to "self-discovery" and finding a way to make her dreams happen? As intriguing and inspiring as the stars themselves. (No, really, it's a beautifully written story, and Hannah undergoes a complete transformation over the course of the story). Inspired by the life and work of America's first professional female astronomer, Maria Mitchell, this is one of those historical novels that makes me want to dig up some 'actual' history and learn more.

J.R.R. Tolkien
Yes, that's an author and not a book. Intentionally. Some authors are just excellent summer reads, and Tolkien falls in that category! Sweeping, huge, elaborate fantasy - worlds unknown with languages and histories and characters to love and love-to-hate. I'll actually be reading my way through Tolkien starting in August, beginning with The Silmarillion and continuing the journey through The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

 The Scorpio Races
Maggie Stiefvater
Oh goodness. This is a YA read, but it is amazing. Another fantasy selection, but more realistic in nature. Except for the presence of flesh-eating water horses, this could easily take place on a remote island somewhere (I pictured Australia or New Zealand while reading). A dual-story, of a girl named Puck who's desperately trying to keep her family together on the island, and Sean - the reigning champion, racing again to win his horse. It's a beautifully woven, beautifully written story that captured my imagination from the very first page.

June Events

Wow, can you believe it's already June?! School's just about out, and I think it's safe to say Summer is here! And Summer means Summer Reading!

Here's a list of what we've got in store this month at the Library (all events at the Library, unless otherwise indicated):

Children's Summer Reading Programs (Grades K-8)

• Wednesday, June 12th @ 10:30am: NC Fossil Club
  @ Archdale Parks & Rec Building
• Wednesday, June 19th @ 10:30am: Fish the Magish
  @ Archdale Parks & Rec Building
• Wednesday, June 26th @ 10:30am: Bat Mania & NC Museum of Natural Science
  @ Archdale Parks and Rec Building
• Thursday, June 27th @ 3pm: Afternoon Craft Time
  (Registration Required!)

Special "Family" Summer Reading Program

• Tuesday, June 25th @ 7pm: Herp Celebration with UNCG

YA Movie

• Wednesday, June 26th @ 2pm: The Hobbit

Also, a shout-out to an event my partner-in-Teen-Services-crime Dave is hosting at Asheboro:

June is going to be a busy but exciting month for the Library, and we hope to see you!

Don't forget to check out what's going on at all the libraries, and sign up for our summer reading programs!

The Library Ducks

Maybe you've seen them, this trio of feathered Library enthusiasts.

The Library Ducks.

They can often be found hanging out in the courtyard-area next to the building, sometimes napping, sometimes just being cool...

... or even waddling right up to the front door. 

They'll grumble and quack and are generally very social little things.

You may have noticed the "puffs" that two have on their heads, and wondered what they are and why they exist. I decided to do a little research, and found the answer! The secret behind the funny hair-do is simply a genetic mutation.

Why they've decided the Library makes a good hangout, we may never know. But then, we humans think the Library's a pretty cool place -- so maybe these are just very intelligent ducks, who want to peruse the stacks and find some good reads for the cloudy days!

I for one love watching the Library Ducks (and taking their pictures, which are posted to our Instagram), and  am glad they've decided we're a cool, safe place to quack.

Books vs. Movies

I don't consider myself a movie buff by any stretch of the imagination, but I have been watching this whole "books-to-movies" trend develop with some interest. If you've seen the latest Archdale-Trinity Magazine, you know what some of my favorite books-turned-movies are. That piece got me thinking, and I'd like to explore the idea in more depth here.

A lot of movies throughout cinematic history have a text foundation, being adapted from either novels or plays, but it seems like it's a much more common occurrence lately. Which raises some interesting conversation points ...

... My friends and I often have movie-versus-the-book debates. As a general rule, we tend to prefer the book to the movie, thinking the story is stronger and etc. But in some cases, I find I definitely prefer the movie to the book (The Princess Diaries comes to mind), and this has led to some really interesting conversations.

For me, reading a book and watching its movie are two totally separate experiences: one is a personal, lost-in-my-own-imagination experience, and the other is a broader, visual experience. There are countless decisions and interpretations that have to be made when shifting a story from the page to the screen. Someone else is responsible for creating the images and filling in the "gaps" your mind fills when reading -- and their interpretation is most likely very different from yours or mine. (In much the same way, my impression of a book may be worlds different from that of my best friend or the guy down the street.) Does that make the movie story weaker than the book version? Not necessarily. It just makes it different, more dynamic. And I don't know about you, but I usually do not have awesome music scores "playing" in my head when reading, which is a definite perk of watching movies!

I'm one of those people who'd rather read the book before I see the movie -- to know what I'm going into, but also so that when I read the story, I don't have movie images in my head. There have only been two times that I remember seeing the movie before reading the book, and both involved Nicholas Sparks books (you'd think I'd have learned my lesson after seeing A Walk to Remember, but nope, I did it again with The Notebook). So I'm decidedly in the "read the book first" camp, and then when I see the movie I know and understand the story -- but am still able to separate the experience. I can appreciate a movie for its awesomeness, even when it leaves the original story far behind (case in point: Prince Caspian!)

That's the key, I think: being able to fully separate the experiences. There's never going to be a movie that's just like reading the book. Conversely, when you read a book that a favorite movie was based on, it's going to be totally different. So long as you can keep the reading and the watching in their own unique realms, you should be able to appreciate books and their movies equally (unless one is just truly horrid).

What about you? What camp do you fall in: books-first or movies-only or any other combination? And what are your favorite book-movie transitions?

May Events

Wow. Can you believe it's already May?! What is happening to this year - just whizzing by, a million miles an hour ... and what a ride it's been. I, for one, can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds!

Speaking of which ...
... two exciting things are coming to the Library soon! (Like, next week!)

Mother's Day Tea and Craft-time
Wednesday May 8th, 3-4pm
Children will enjoy games, crafts, stories and refreshments!

Archdale Library Friends Spring Book Sale
Saturday May 11th, 9am-4pm
Monday May 13th, 9am-6pm
Tuesday May 14th, 9am-2pm

It's going to be an exciting and busy next few weeks at the Library, and if you have items you'd like to donate for the book sale, bring 'em by!

Book Spine Poetry

In the spirit of National Poetry Month (which ends today), I thought I'd share a fun "new" development in the creative book world: Book Spine Poetry.

The premise is simple: You take books, turning them on their sides so the titles read as a line of text, and then stack them according to your artistic whim, thus creating mini-poems with a decidedly literary twist.

I discovered this new poetic form about a year ago, and have enjoyed watching it develop and grow in popularity. It's fun, quirky, creative. It's an excuse to pull out all your favorite books, and a great way to stretch your brain - playing with the arrangement of titles to make sense, and working around their sometimes fragmented nature. Here are some examples I've "written" (the first two with my personal books, the others happened here in the Library):

Jane Austen's Guide to Dating
Emma & Knightley
Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters
A Walk in the Meadow at Rosings Park
For Darkness Shows the Stars
The Road to Pemberley
Pemberley Ranch
The Truth About Mr Darcy
The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen
Jane Austen: A life revealed

The Jane Austen Guide to Happily Ever After
Charlotte Collins
Christmas at Pemberley
Darcy's Temptation
Murder at Mansfield Park
Jane Austen Made Me Do It
Why Jane Austen?
To Conquer Mr Darcy
Compulsively Mr Darcy
The Perfect Bride for Mr Darcy

Abandon
The Warrior Heir
City of Glass
Deep and Dark and Dangerous
Hidden
Raider's Ransom
What Happened to Goodbye

Darkness Falls
My Heartbeat
Magic Under Stone
Lock and Key
Bewitching
Glimmer
If I Stay
Starclimber
Magic of the Moonlight

Walls within Walls
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Dragon Rider
Secrets in the Fire
Rider in the Dark
The Last Treasure

Queen of Broken Hearts
Love the One You're With
This Charming Man
Stealing with Style
Something Blue

For more fun and inspiration to create some Book Spine Poems of your own, check out these blog posts:
YALSA Hub
School Library Journal Book Spine Poem Gallery

Poetry, the Library, and Spring Fever

April is National Poetry Month, which has always been a favorite for me -- not only do I enjoy scribbling lines of verse, and reading it (of course!), but it happens in April. That glorious month when it's starting to be warm more than it's cold, the days are longer, and the world is not only green but blooming as well. (In case you couldn't tell, I have a serious case of spring fever!) There's something about spring that gets in your blood, making the everyday sparkle and shine in a way that just beckons for verbal expression. Starting to see the connection, in my mind, to Poetry Month?

In the last few years, I've started to appreciate a new form of poetry -- the verse novel. While I haven't read a lot of verse novels, those I have read I've enjoyed greatly. If you've never read one before, it's a novel-length story told entirely in poems. Sort of like really short chapters (although some are shockingly long), but with all the rhythms and patterns of poetry. And like that broad spectrum of "poetry," verse novels feature a variety of poem types - even within the same novel. It adds a whole new level of artistic expression to storytelling, and can make for a surprisingly enjoyable read. On the other hand, sometimes the restraints of verse for telling such a long story can be frustrating. With such short "chapters" it can be harder to get to know characters, or keep up with the pacing. Here's where it's desperately important to have a good writer at the helm.

Two of my favorites are Terra Elan McVoy's After the Kiss and Lisa Schroeder's The Day Before, both YA novels (and both published by Simon Pulse, coincidentally). In each of these novels, the use of poetry to tell the story builds tension, creating emotional connections and adding depth and even a little mystery.

Verse novels appear to be a growing trend in YA literature (Ellen Hopkins' novels are hugely popular), which I find rather interesting, and I look forward to exploring more ... I have a historical fiction verse novel about the journey of Lewis & Clark sitting on my To Read shelf, and there are a lot of contemporary novels being written in verse.

What about you? Have you read any novels in verse and/or have any recommendations?

Odds & Ends

Wow. How is it already April? Seems like just yesterday it was early January, and my world was being rocked with the news I'd be joining the Archdale Library staff! And now we're 25% of the way through the year, the sun is actually shining, and spring is just around the corner! Goodness. Time really does fly when you're having fun.

What else is "April" ...


Image credit: http://www.shelbytwplib.org/poetry%20club.htm

... it's National Poetry Month, as well as being National Poetry Writing Month (I guess there's something about warmer temperatures, brilliant sun and growing plants that makes us feel reflective, or even romantic)


... National Library Week is April 14-20th

... April 23rd is the relase date for Sophie Kinsella's new novel Wedding Night!

Hmm ... What else is newsy ... Have you checked out the new Asheboro Library Teen Zone tumblr? I've joined forces with Teen Services Librarian Dave Bare, and a teen patron Lauren, and we've got a personal mission to make libraries the coolest place ever. Check us out for YA book reviews and other random fun stuff in the teen reading universe.

Tolkien Reading Day!

Happy Tolkien Reading Day!

Women's History Month

March is Women's History month, and if you're looking for some good "women's history-ish" reads, look no further! The Library is an excellent resource, for both fiction and non-fiction lovers. I've selected an assortment of titles to whet your reading appetite, but know there are many, many more out there. I've also tried to get a mix of fiction and biographies, to give you an idea of the variety available.

Note: Links go to the RCPL Catalog, and selections are not limited to Archdale-only holdings (so you may have to put it on hold if you see something you like).

 Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-making Race Around the World: Matthew Goodman
In a time when the human imagination was ready to tackle anything, and Jules Verne was publishing things like Around the World in 80 Days, Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland - two female journalists - set out to see if you really could travel the world in 80 days. The result? Astonishing success.

Ada Blackjack: A True Story of Survival in the Arctic: Jennifer Niven
Arctic exploration has always been risky, reserved for the most prepared (or foolhardy) men. When one such expedition went awry, Ada Blackjack, a young Inuit woman, found herself stranded - alone - in the icy wilderness. Her story is told her, built from a wealth of primary resources, and shares not only Ada's struggle to survive in the wilderness, but also in civilization.

 The Forest Lover: Susan Vreeland
All of Vreeland's historical novels deal with women in art, and in The Forest Lover, she explores the life and art of Emily Carr. Emily, a product of Victorian society, forayed into the wilds of British Columbia, interacting closely with the indigenous peoples, and creating bold, modern landscapes. A novel that considers both the art world and the changing tides of culture and industry, it's an engrossing story.

Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life: Queen Noor
Many girls dream of being a princess, or becoming queen, but few are able to see that dream come true. This is the autobiography of an American girl who grew up to meet and later marry the King of Jordan. A beautifully written book, Her Majesty allows us a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes aspects of the Royal family.

 Cleopatra's Daughter: Michelle Moran
Many of us are familiar with the tragicly-fascinating story of Cleopatra, but her daughter Selene has an equally fascinating story that deserves to be heard. Moran does an exceptional job of weaving historical detail and colorful, sympathetic characters to create a wholly engrossing story.

 The Bronte Sisters: The Brief Lives of Charlotte, Emily and Anne: Catherine Reef
The family of talented sisters behind Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Villette, the Bronte sisters did not have an easy life. This joint biography looks at their lives, their works, and the culture that helped shape their literary journeys.

This is just a small sampling of what's available: we've got biographies, histories, novels ... So swing by and see if there's something that piques your interest!

Art Cats

It's another chilly Friday, but there are some colorful cats taking up residence in the library! 6th graders at Braxton-Craven Middle School have been hard at work in the art room -- swing by the library to see a sampling of their masterpieces! And to whet your artistic appetite ...

Tell a Fairy Tale Day

As a self-proclaimed fairy tale nut, I am not sure how this fact escaped me before, but today is "Tell a Fairy Tale Day" (thanks to the blogging crew behind YALSA's The Hub for the head's up)!

To celebrate, here's a super-quick list of some of the many fairy tale retellings and novelizations available:

East: Edith Pattou
One of my all-time favorite fairy tale novelizations, Pattou spins a very detailed and gorgeous version of the Norse fairy tale "East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon"

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow: Jessica Day George
Another take on the "East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon" tale - I love seeing how different authors tell the same story. Everyone has their own interpretation, but the heart is always the same.

Beastly, Cloaked, and A Kiss in Time: Alex Flinn
Flinn has a number of fairy tale novelizations, bringing the traditional tales into modern/contemporary settings, with a unique twist. I look forward to Towering, where she tackles the Rapunzel story.

Wildwood Dancing: Juliet Marillier
A blend of many fairy tales, in one gorgeous story, this one will sweep you off your feet into a new enchanted world. Seriously, it's that well-written. I had a lot of fun picking out all the different fairy tales woven into the mix.

Enchanted: Alethea Kontis
Another tale that pulls from many fairy tales to tell one story, and the proposed beginning of a new series. I know I was left wanting more of the Woodcutter family's stories!

Beauty and Rose Daughter: Robin McKinley
It's one thing to read the novelizations of one fairy tale written by different authors, but McKinley wrote two different versions of "Beauty and the Beast" herself! Beauty, the first, is a sweet retelling that is enchanting in its simplicity. Rose Daughter, in contrast, is a much more detailed, elaborate retelling, with slightly darker edges. Both are beautiful stories, and each has its own appeal.

Fairest: Gail Carson Levine
Here's a unique twist on the "Snow White" story, where the Mirror has a devilish mind of its own, and Aza (our "Snow White") isn't necessarily the most beautiful in the land. Set in the same fantasy kingdom as Ella Enchanted (an interesting retelling of "Cinderella").

The Frog Princess series: E.D. Baker
This is a fun and entertaining series that begins with The Frog Princess - in which a spell goes horribly awry, jump-starting a whole host of adventures.

Entwined: Heather Dixon
A surprisingly deep novelization of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," that I didn't want to end.

Mermaid: Carolyn Turgeon
A fairy tale geared for adults, this lush retelling of "The Little Mermaid" takes readers on quite an emotional journey. Beautifully written, with perfect pacing, it will keep you reading - and catch you by surprise.

The above is just a quick sampling of the fairy tale retellings available for your reading pleasure ... and this doesn't even begin to scratch the surface! There are breathtakingly gorgeous picture books, and many more novelizations. And the movies! Oh, the movies!

Why not join the celebration, and share your favorite fairy tale! The world needs more "Once upon a time" ...

(Links go to Goodreads pages)

Bookish Smiles

It's such a cold, wet, nasty Friday I think we could all use some bookish smiles. And so, I have found a couple fun cover reveals and other newsy tidbits to share! (Note: The images are links!)

I may or may not have literally squeaked when I saw the press release for Vader's Little Princess. Tell me that's not the cutest thing you've ever seen? The upcoming companion to Brown's Darth Vader and Son, this promises to be an incredibly wonderful addition to the Star Wars geek's library. Also, check out the cover story for more inside peeks!

There's something about galaxy/starry/space images on book covers that makes me happy. And this is quite a cover! Slated for release in December (oh, the agonies of a long wait!), this collaboration between Meagan Spooner and Amie Kaufman has me rather intrigued. Clicking on the cover takes you to Goodreads, where you can read a blurb for yourself.

Curious about how novels are published? Four YA authors have created an absolutely amazing blog to chronicle their journey and experiences leading up to the publication of their first novels. And they're writing this blog as members of the Avengers (Iron Man, Thor, and my personal favorite Captain America), who are helping Loki get his novel published. I kid you not. The content is not only informative, but it's highly entertaining. (They can also be found on twitter, for more entertaining comments!).

Jane Austen's beloved Pride & Prejudice turned 200 this year, and to celebrate the Royal Mail has issued gorgeous commemorative stamps. Oh, to have an English penpal ... Laurel Ann Nattress has a great post with more information about the stamps, and the quotes that inspired the images, on her blog Austenprose. (Laurel Ann's blog is a great go-to for all things pertaining to Jane Austen, and even Downton Abbey!)

So there we have it: some bookish smiles and diverting reading to make this grey, cold Friday a little sunnier. Have any of you seen any exciting bookish  news or cover releases lately? I'm always on the hunt for a beautiful book cover...