Step into the Enchanted Forrest

Dealing With Dragons by Patricia Wrede

Enter day 8 of BEDA and the Enchanted Forrest series, where wizards are wicked and dragons are your best friend.

It’s no secret, I’m a huge fan of stories that play off stuff we know and love. If it’s a fairy tale, all the better. This is a fantastically funny series that isn't afraid of teasing the expected plot line. Wrede is so clever when writing this collection. While the books are the best when read in order, each book is so entertaining you don’t need one to follow the other. But I want to tell you, read them in order. Each book is told through the viewpoint of a different member, working it's way through the generations.

Where women are kings, mirrors have attitude issues, and soapy water (with a little lemon) brings unexpected surprises, this series is sure to provide high class entertainment.

The Reformed Vampire Support Group

The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks

No doubt about it, the best part about working for a library is seeing stuff before everybody else does. I'd like to say it's being around people, or the free exchange of information and technology, and while all that's well and good, it's really the new stuff. We get paid to be on the cutting edge. In fact, people ship us stuff early, before it's even officially on the market, before they even do the final spell check, so we can get a taste of what's hot before the riots start at the check out counters. Bet you didn't know being a librarian instantly makes you VIP.

I just finished the coolest book of 2009 because of this pseudo-celeb status; The Reformed Vampire Support Group. It's due to come out mid-April. If you think you know vampires, you need to read this book. While Twilight makes the land of the undead seem intriguing, stealth, and sexy, Jinks shows you the side of vampires that won't make it to the romance section. Senior citizen vampires with walkers, vampires with mothers, and vampires with anxiety disorders entertain you from cover to cover as these characters are brought together through group therapy to thwart their desire to kill. No vampire book is complete without a little lycanthrope, and the werewolves in this book are just as hilarious and demented as the blood suckers. Throw in a little accidental staking and a spontaneous road trip and you have a recipe for success, along with a new found thirst for mortality.

Ready for some therapy? Get on the request list today!

Standing at a creepy Crossroads

The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

I'm a scaredy cat. A big, huge baby. I don't handle suspense well and am so the person who will flip to the end of the book early to see if a character is still around. Yeah, I know, ridiculous, but having that pit-in-the-bottom-of-your-stomach fear is a rush that I love to hate. It's my own personal horror-coaster.

So when I picked up Grabenstein's book and saw this creepy tree on the cover, of course I couldn't walk away. It was like the cover was calling to me. The tree reminded me of one outside my parents house on West 84th that would bang againsy my window for no apparent reason. That house was nuts, with cold pockets and creepy sounds everywhere. Possessed by the memory of that place, I flipped open the cover and the first sentence sent shivers down my spine: "Have you ever seen a face hidden in the bark of a tree and known that the man trapped inside wanted to hurt you?" Creep-py! And I hate to admit it, but yeah, I have felt that way. It's why I can't do haunted houses.

But wait, it gets better. The main character lives on West 84th. No need to do a double take. My old street. My old tree. The rest of the book was one random coincidence after another. Street names, store names, character names. All things from my past but with a crazed ghost floating around. I wanted to put it down, but I was so horrified I couldn't. This is a book about a haunting, and I think it's safe to say, it haunted me.

Want to be haunted? Check it out. Since all good ghost stories should be read out loud, be sure to get the audio.

You thought you knew suburbia...

Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan

Missiles in every yard, an alien as a foreign exchange student, blind reindeer. Just your every day suburban neighborhood. It's the land of Make-Believe that would give Mr. Rogers a panic attack.

I'm not the biggest sci-fi gal. I'm more of a fantasy fan. But it is the flavor of the month, so I figured, why not, I'll give it a go. I love getting my flavor fix because I always find a treat I didn't expect. This author had me so enraptured by these short stories that as soon as I closed the book I was looking for Tan's earlier stuff. And the art! A-MAZE-ING! I keep going back to the story about the foreign exchange student...it sure would explain some things.

Want to enter Outer Suburbia? Check it out.

Dying for more Edward? Watch Twilight for free

So I'm a genius. Despite the fact that I have been counting down the days for the Twilight movie to be on DVD, I just realized today that I forgot to pre-order it. Stellar.

Luckily for me, on Wednesday, March 25, MPL is having a special screening of the movie at the Main Library. And it's free. I am so excited. Because as happy as I am to take the Cullen's home with me, I really, really, really like seeing Robert Pattinson's face projected on the big screen.

If you love all things Twilight as much as I do, stop by on March 25 at 6:30. There's no registration needed to get lost in this amazing movie. Again.

My sister said it best, "I really want Bella to be a vampire already!" Well I really just want to see this movie again!

Falling into Garth Nix

The Fall by Garth Nix

Imagine that you live in a world completely encased in darkness because a magical Veil blocks out the sun. The world is so cold and destitute that the land is covered in ice. They only way to destroy the Veil is to dismantle the Keystones that keep it in place found at the top of a castle's towers. Oh yeah, and that castle has a room for people to be punished, called the Hall of Nightmares. Ever wonder it would be like to not be able to wake up from your worst dream? Talk about punishment.

If you think your life is rough, check out this series. The Seventh Tower books were recommended to me by a guy who knows the difference between good fantasy and a wonderfully consuming story. Nix creates a world so complex and intriguing that you actually get chills as you read them.

Want to climb the towers? Then check this series out.

Miraculous Journey of Edward Trulane

"Miraculous Journey of Edward Trulane" by Kate DiCamillo.

The heart breaks and breaks

and lives by breaking

It is necessary to go through

dark and deeper dark

and not to turn

- Stanley Kunitz

I was visiting some friends of ours at Fairfax when someone recommended I review Edward Trulane. I love this book, and I'm glad they brought it to the front of my mind.

I could tell you that the reason why this book is so exciting is that you watch a toy bunny go all over the world, or that I'm fascinated by the fact that people can be connected to one another over generations by a solitary item. Or maybe confess that as a kid I secretly thought my stuffed animals were alive and couldn't let the unicorn be next to the elephant on my bed because, well, you know, they had "issues". But really, I think this book is rocks beause of the poem that starts off the whole book. It says it all.

It is necessary to go through the hard stuff to get the good stuff. One is not mutually exclusive to the other. And deep down, we all love it. There's a reason why people watch dramas. I was talking to a friend last week who told me that he thought my life story was really interesting and that on some level he was jealous. And the whole time he said it, I was thinking how I was jealous of his life story. I think its safe to say that everyone who reads this book will be a little jealous of Edward's story. We all want to be taken on an adventure.

So thanks to my Fairfax friends for helping me get refocused. As always, I love hearing suggestions on what book I can't live my life not knowing, so please keep them coming.

That is my necessity for going through the dark.

Aliens Attack At Mentor Public Library!

Do I have your attention now? Bad news, my friend. The Aliens aren’t attacking us. We are attacking them. Well, the books they are in. It’s Science Fiction Month at good old MPL.
Have you said hello to an alien lately? Or maybe you are more of a “What if computers were fused with our brains?” kind of Reader. Or maybe “Deadly Virus sweeps through the world!” is your cup of tea. Any Way you like your sci-fi is fine with us.

Here some of our suggestion for you:

Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Saga By Conor Kostick
Genius Squad by Catherine Jinks
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
H.I.V.E. by Mark Walden
Maximum Ride by James Patterson
Dragon and the Thief by Timothy Zahn
Feed by M.T. Anderson
House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer


Graphic Novels
Any and Every Super hero novel done by Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, etc….
Neon Genesis Evanglion by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
Dragon Drive by Ken-ichi Sakura
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki
Full Metal Panic by Tomohiro Nagai
GetBackers by Yuya Aoki
Serenity by Joss Whedon


For more Info about Sci-fi check out the display in the Teen area and pick up a book mark or two.

Edgar and Ellen are really Rare Beasts

Rare Beasts by Charles Ogden

You know you're in for a delightfully decrepit story when you open a book and the main characters live in a house called Schadenfreude (which is a German word that basically means that you get a rush from watching other people suffer. Think CBS's Survivor). I have to admit, I kind of enjoy seeing how the bad people devise their master plans. My mind just can't bend that way, so seeing their plans in motion sets my nerve on edge. That's why I love 24.

This series had me jumpy from the get go. Have you ever read the Lemony Snicket books? Think about an entire series based around the villainous relatives that the Baudelaire children are forced to live with. Pure, delightful evil. In Ogden's books, Edgar and Ellen are twins whose sole purpose is to find new and ingenious ways to torment their neighbors. They make you're worst enemy seem as sweet as candy. You have to experience their horror for yourself. Without giving too much away, all I can say is you do not want to be in a game of hide-and-seek them!

Watching the downfall of these siblings is unbelievably entertaining. Who said schadenfreude was a bad thing?

Judging Coraline

Being the time of love and romance (Happy V-day, by the way) I know it's socially appropriate to be saying we like what's within, and that image isn't everything. That is good advice for people, but I have to admit, I totally judge a book by it's cover. But I mean actual books and actual covers. It's my firm philosophy that if a publishing company doesn't want to invest money for an interesting cover, then they probably don't have much faith for the content within.

My love of the superficial is what attracted me to Neil Gaiman's Coraline. I discovered this book at an outlet bookstore about five years ago, and I'll be honest, if it wasn't for the creepy image of girl holding a candle I probably wouldn't have given it a second glance. What sold me on it, (quite literally, in fact, this book is in my personal collection) was the craziest review printed on the back cover from one of my all-time favorite authors, Terry Pratchet. He said, "this book will send a shiver down your spine, out through your shoes, and into a taxi to the airport". There was no way I could pass up a book with that review!

A little love goes a long way, and I'm really glad to see the movie industry showing some love to Neil Gaiman. It's about time someone realized how fantastically creepy his work is and made something into a film. Talk about paying it forawrd, thanks to the film launching, they just releaser the Coraline graphic novel and audio book.

I'm doing my part to spread the joy. I am going to this movie in a matter of hours and am stoked. I am so pumped I re-read the book this morning. I'm dying to know if the movie's look matches the book.

Heck yeah!

Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go by Dale E. Basye

Have you ever wondered what happens to good kids who do bad things? I like the bad guys to suffer as much as the next guy, but I've always wondered what happens to a good person who makes a few mistakes. According to Basye, not all crimes are created equal, and Heck is the place to sort that stuff out.

While this book was definitely not written for the older folks, similar to Harry Potter it can really be enjoyed at any age. It is funny, quick witted and you don't have to be a Dante fan to get a kick out of this story (however, for those of you who are, this books gives the D man some props). It pokes fun at all of those boring "masterpieces" you read in school that talk about death. For heavens sake, if you pardon the pun, the main characters are named Milton and Marlo! Paradise Lost, anyone?

For all of you who think there should be an upside to afterlife, this book is for you. It is definitely not of this world.

Want more Coheed and Cambria? You got it!

OMG!

How do they do it? How can Coheed and Cambria continue to amaze me?

So I had Ms. Amy from Young Adult go on a mad hunt for the Coheed and Cambria graphic novels and while she hasn't found them yet (don't worry, we're still looking!), she managed to discover the sheet music for their fourth album, "No World for Tomorrow". Brilliant! This is why it's good to have a librarian for a friend. They can find anything, even the weird stuff. I practically skipped to the hold shelf to pick up my copy. Wait, that's not all. I know all of you musicians out there are wondering what could be better then that, but let me tell you! Apparently, Guitar Hero even has one of their songs as a game option. Even the musically untalented (like myself) can tear it up Coheed style. Who knew? I am so stoked!

Okay, I know I am more then reasonably excited about these developments, but seriously, Coheed and Cambria rocks my socks. This may be the highlight of my week.

Want your socks rocked? Check them out!

Don't bury Charlie Bone!

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

The other day and I saw the Twilight movie, again, and had my first viewing of the newest Harry Potter movie that will be released next year. (The trailer looks fantastic, by the way. Check out our MySpace page to get a sneak peak) Every time I see Harry Potter, I feel a little bit sorry for this fantastic series that got lost in the shuffle; Charlie Bone. Don't get me wrong, I love the Potter books probably more then is healthy. I was the person who waited in line at midnight to get the books on the day they were released, I still go to the midnight showings of the movies, and it is more then possible (cough) that I had my sister buy me a time turner for Christmas a few years ago. But in the mystical magic that is the Harry Potter phenomenon, Nimmo's fabulous series of books got overlooked.

Similar to Harry, Charlie is a boy who mysteriously discovers his magical powers and is sent off to a school for gifted students. Aside from them both having a father who died under questionable circumstances, this is where the similarities end. Charlie's gift is that he can communicate with people through photos. I used to think that if I had a supernatural power I would want it to be time travel or mind reading, but after the Bone books, I'm starting to rethink the photo thing isn't a bad gig.

Looking for something to listen to while your doing the dishes? This series also comes in audio book form. So for those of you who loved Harry Potter and are looking to fill the void now that the last book has been published, check out the Charlie Bone series. It's worth digging up.

Twilight + Robert Pattison = Heaven

On Monday I went and saw the Twilight movie. OMG. That's all I can say. Any one who has read the books can tell you that Stephenie Meyer is a supernatural master. I don't know a single person who has read them and been disappointed. But that is always the downfall of a great book; you run the risk of the movie being a bust. This movie was a bust alright. It busted through any worry I had and wowed me beyond belief. Not only was Robert Pattison hot, hot, hot, (come on ladies, that was a given!) but this film was intense. Even though I knew what was coming, I gasped, cringed, and wanted to become immortal. I don't care that the characters didn't look like how I imagined. I hardly noticed because I was so sucked in, pardon the pun. And don't even get me started on the music. Paramore, Linkin Park, and whatever the name is of Robert Pattison's band as background music is a guaranteed off the charts listening experience. You have to see it. It should be a law. This movie proves that there is still a place for a low budget film. All you need is a hot leading man, a stellar soundtrack, and a killer story.

On a little side note, Edward in the light is amazing. Bella is so lucky.

(kind of) Twilight junkie

I hopped on the Twilight bandwagon pretty early. I didn't pick it up because I heard it was good, the plot intrigued me so I decided to read it (actually I listened to the first three. Ilyana Kadushin, the narrator, isn't the greatest but she's not bad. She has an interesting voice and tries to distinguish between the characters). Then we heard a movie was being made. And you know, I'm not much for following the crowds, but I think the popularity has actually created more of an appeal for me. Seeing the actors grace the covers of all the rags that I see when I'm checking out at the grocery store stirred my desire to see the movie. And I'm gonna see the movie. Except, from the pictures I've seen of the actors, Rosalie doesn't quite live up to the person I was picturing in my mind. Actually, none of the other vampires do either. Their puffy coats and ultra coiffed hair don't scream "seasoned vampire" to me. Let's just hope their acting makes up for it. Are you going to see the movie? Have you already? Tell me what you thought! And please agree that Jasper needs to get a haircut.

I want to read it!! (Get in line, sister)

Feed your mind with Sci-Fi

Feed by M.T. Anderson

I’m not a huge fan of reading about spaceships and aliens, but I do enjoy a good sci-fi book. Science fiction doesn’t mean it has to be about big green aliens or UFO’s. Some of the most fun books have elements that are abnormal or strange to our world. One book in particular I think you would like is Feed by M.T. Anderson. It’s about the not too distant future here on Earth. People can take day trips to the moon, and everyone is connected to a super computer that allows them to talk to each other in their minds and shop and buy items they see instantly. Sounds pretty fun, right? Well, it is, for most people. But (isn’t there always a but?) there are some people who don’t react too well to the surgery to get connected to the computer. The story is fun to read because we get to see how normal teens react to not so normal situations. Have you read it already? Let us know what you thought about it!

Check it out.

Get ready to be transported.

The Door Within Trilogy by Wayne Thomas Batson

"The words were scribbled on the wall with thoughts of friends you didn't have" - Coheed and Cambria

Welcome to a series where not fitting in actually makes you a hero! This is the most refreshing trilogy that I have read in a long time. It's as if Harry Potter met Indiana Jones in medieval times. As I read this series, I found myself saying "wow" over and over again. The series also answers a lot of life long questions. Have you ever met someone for the first time and but feel as if you've known them your whole life? Batson and his very motivating characters have a reason for you.

If you're like me and like to listen to music when you curl up with a good book, this series goes great with the Muse's Black Holes and Revelations, in particular the song "Knights of Cydonia". Get your hands on both the CD and the book series by visiting our catalog.

It's so dangerous it's delicious!

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson

I just finished the best audio book of 2008. I have always been a James Patterson fan, but I'll admit, I was a little worried about this new alien hunter series. I am so glad that my love for his writing trumped my fear because I fell in love with this recording.

The story itself was great with the typical fast moving plots and unexpected twists that you expect from Patterson. What made this experience so amazing, though, was the reading itself. Milo Ventimiglia, the hunky guy who plays Peter Petrelli on Heroes, does a stellar job depicting the countless characters. How he managed to make aliens sound so normal is beyond me.

If you've never listened to a book on CD before, start with this one. Still not convinced that audio books are the way to go? We carry this title in traditional book form as well. I have it on good authority that this series will soon be released in graphic novel form, so be sure to check back with us to be the first to get your hands on a copy.

Think you know vampires? Guess again!

The Otherworldlies by Jennifer Kogler

Forget everything you think you know about vampires! Great for Halloween, this book has you checking over your shoulder to see if your eccentric neighbor may be harboring an ancient secret. Fern's secretive history has her wondering on what side she will stand, and with opposing forces fighting for her soul, it's hard to know where evil ends and good begins. Fern's unique physical characteristics make it hard to hide, and this action packed story will have you guessing to see what happens next. If only the reason I was so pale was because I was a vampire...