Pretty little liars and their dirty little secrets

I must say I am totally in love with Pretty Little Liars right now. Okay, so I haven’t even finished the first one yet, but I can tell already I’m completely hooked. By the way it starts, with an omniscient voice saying how this perfect setting she’s describing isn’t really so perfect, it kind of reminds me of Desperate Housewives—for teens. And I should warn you this is definitely for the older teen crowd, what with the mature situations, mild drug use, and sexual situations. But it’s the mystery that keeps this so addicting. In seventh grade, five girls are best friends and the most popular in their upper class private school. Then one of the girls--the girl who knows every dirty little secret about the other four—goes missing. Flash forward to 11th grade and the four remaining friends have grown apart. Then they start getting messages from someone reminding them of all their secrets. Who could it be? What should they do? Which designer bag should they buy next? Each question more revealing than the next (except maybe that last one). It’s Beverly Hills 90210 in book form, with a mysterious twist (I’m referring to the original 90210, I must admit I have not seen the remake). Oh! And there’s a show coming out! Check out a copy before you’re the last girl who doesn’t know what’s going on!
~Amanda D.

Babysitters Club gets Graphic

Mary Anne Saves the Day: a Graphic Novel by Raina Telgemeier

Day 13 of BEDA

I'm all for graphic novels, but this may be taking it one step too far.

The Babysitters Club series written by Ann Martin has now been adapted to graphic novels. I can't help but wonder, is it really necessary? Martin's books are mostly dialogue and scene development anyways, so I have admit I don't really know if there is a need for graphic art. She also keeps her chapters short and sweet, so again, not so complex we need detailed drawings to help crack the Babysitters code.

Let me know, am I over reacting? How do you feel about turning a series like this into graphic novels?

For all the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Fans...

The Frandidate by Jim Benton

This is a little shout out for all of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans out there. (oh, and day 9 of BEDA. I didn't forget, I had technological issues this weekend!)

Meet Franny K. Stein, mad scientist, whose inventions for disaster end up being a disaster. With the same kind of humor you find in Kinney's books, this series is sure to entertain audiences of any age. Benton is a the bridge between the Captain Underpants books and the Wimpy Kid books. It may be a random blend, but it's a well constructed blend. I didn't know kids books could talk about politics and other social issues while still having weird cartoons and pictures every few pages. Now that I've read it, I can't imagine going back.

So if you're looking for a read-alike that doesn't feel like a copy cat, be sure to check out this series.

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.

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.

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?

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.

Own Robert Pattinson

Can't get enough Twilight? Coming in spring of 2009, look forward to the launch of the Twilight Dolls!

Seriously, these dolls look a little weird, but somehow I know I'll be one of the first to buy them. I always thought I could use an Edward Cullen figure in my life, and apparently all I need is to fork up the cash to get him. I find it more then a little interesting that Edward's doll looks so much like Robert Pattinson, while the Bella doll is not really a match for Kristen Stewart. Really though, how obsessed with this series am I that I notice?

I want to give a little shout out to the people who leaked this fantastic information, my favorite blog, http://www.readergirlz.blogspot.com/.

It's not to late to see what the buzz is about! Request your copy of Twilight today!

Under the Rug

It’s pretty rug but still it’s a rug. And fairly dusty for that matter.
Oh yeah. Let’s get everyone on the same page.
Other vampire series lost in the Twilight shuffle.
Yes, they do exist! Like most books some are good some are bad. Some just are. You can sort through the plot lines and writing styles to find ones that you like. Note: not all of these are romances. But they would all be shelved in the YA room if there wasn’t a waiting list…..

(Vampire Kitty Says "READ")

Book Series
Vampire kisses By Ellen Schreiber
Peeps By Scott Westerfeld
Blue Bloods By Melissa De LA Cruz
Vampire academy By Rachel Mead
Chronicles of Vladimir Todd By Heather Brewer
Morganville Vampire series By Rachel Caine
House of Night By PC Cast
Bloodline by Kate Cary
Atwater-Rhodes series.
Cirque De freak By Darren Shan
Vampirates by Justin Somper

Graphic Novel/ Comic book style
Trinity Blood By Sunao Yoshida
Chibi Vampire By Yuna Kagesaki
Vampire Knight By Matsuri Hino
Vampire kisses By Ellen Schreiber (No, I didn’t make a mistake. It comes in both formats. Each one gets a different sub title though.)

(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)

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.