Teen Read Week-Author Interview-Diana L. Sharples

Equilibrium. That's what Stacey and Calvin found in each other. He is as solid as his beloved vintage motorcycle and helps quiet the constant clamor in Stacey's mind. She is a passionate, creative spirit---and a lifeline after Calvin's soldier brother dies.But lately the balance is off. Calvin's grief is taking new forms. Voices of self-loathing are dominating Stacey's life. When struggles with body image threaten her health, Calvin can't bear to lose another person that he loves. Taking action may destroy their relationship, but the alternative could be much more costly. (From LCPL's website)

Click HERE to request a copy.  You will need your library card number and pin.

Calling All Vampire Academy Fans

I was very excited to see on People.com that Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series was finally coming to the big screen.  It looks like the movie will be opening at theaters on Valentines Day!  Guys if you want to impress your ladies take them to this movie.  We can only hope it is as good as the book.

My Jane Austen Summer: A Season in Mansfield Park by Cindy Jones

Reading Level: Adult Fiction

Submitted by Gerti

While it is not as popular among Jane Austen fans as "Pride and Prejudice," I happen to be a big fan of her novel "Mansfield Park," which is one reason why this book appeals to me.  Main character Lily Berry also loves "Mansfield Park" and its guileless heroine, Fanny Price.  So it's no surprise that Berry mirrors Price at the beginning of the book, as Berry is a girl without a home of her own.  Her mother has died of cancer, and her father has summarily ejected her from his life in order to remarry, and to add insult to injury, he may have been having an affair with the other woman long BEFORE Berry's mother died of cancer.

From this timeless and universally relatable crisis, Berry can't seem to avoid going from one catastrophe to another.  Berry has also broken up her boyfriend and is "stalking: him by frequently driving past his house.  Mirroring the situation with her parents, Lily discovers that the boyfriend too has moved on to another, more compatible female.  Double heartbreak!  To add icing to the cake, Berry has gotten herself fired from her human relations job after her boss finds her reading Austen novels at work.  Can things get any worse for her?

Instead of trying to retool her life at home in Texas, Berry decides to chuck it all and go to England to act in a Jane Austen literary festival.  Just like her home life, however, the "Literature Live" event goes astray.  Berry starts three (or four) misfired romances, and several incomplete business plans to save the endangered festival, all while dealing with a terrible dysfunctional but filthy rich roommate, and a crazed boss lady who is not only having an affair with a married man (shades of what is going on at home!) but is an Austen nut who thinks the beloved 1800s author was making statements in her books on all kinds of modern issues like lesbianism and slavery.  When Berry finally finds someone who is willing to play Edmund Bertram (the hero of "Mansfield Park) to her Fanny Price, I thought this book found its hero, but it was not to be.  Or was it?  The surprise ending leaves room for a sequel, because the pair DO NOT end up together in this book.

I will look for Cindy Jones to write a sequel to this book because I love the subject mater (Jane Austen), even if details of the literary festival are confusing and the weakest part of the book.  But for a freshman effort, "My Jane Austen Summer" is a win for Jones, and I long to read more about this entirely entertaining and erudite group of characters.  Not a classic, but never dull, this is a great summertime read.  The only downside for me is the ease with which the heroine falls into bed (or worse! Yuck!) with the various male characters, but this author is truly talented and her writing is bright and contains many clever turns of phrase which outweigh even my old-school literary prudery.

The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James

Reading Level: Adult Fiction

Submitted by Gertie

The beginning of this novel is confusing--is it really the lost manuscript of Jane Austen or is it entirely a work of fiction?  But the end is even more confusing, as by the time I have read all of Syrie James brilliant account of Jane Austen's life and lost romance, I want it all to be real.  James has done such a good job weaving Austen's fiction into this fictional account of her life, that the book explains, how Austen got some of her most famous plot elements, and in the process, brings the Janeite reader delightful vignettes of Austen's own books!

For example, James has her fictional Austen visit the ruins of an Abbey with a group of friends, referencing "Northanger Abbey".  She visits Lyme and almost falls off the stone pier, referencing the novel "Persuasion." And most devastatingly, Austen has a confusing secret engagement to a fellow, and the plot of the event plays out very like the secret engagement in "Sense and Sensibility".  In short, this book is a treat for Austen fans to read, even though it is fiction, because James includes so many references to the plots and scenes from Austen's own six novels.

Unlike some of the novels which have been written about Austen's characters which take little from the original books, this work carefully meshes the original with very inventive fiction, and sends James to the top of my list of authors to keep reading.  I can't wait to see what she does with the life of Charlotte Bronte, whose "secret" memoirs she has also discovered.

The Boxcar Children Winter Special #1 by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Reading Level: Juvenile Fiction/Mystery
Accelerated Reader AR LG 3.9 2.0 9285.

Book review is submitted by Mackenzie E.  She gives the book 10 stars.

I think the Boxcar Children books are excellent for children to read.  It's about 5 kids and a Grandfather.  They're on a mission to see who stole diamonds & ruby's.  The characters are very interesting, yet it's easy to follow.

Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Jill Mansell

Jill Mansell always writes funny happy romances. You get to know the characters in the book and become absorbed in their lives. Don't Want to Miss a Thing is full of laughs, romance and is just an all around makes you feel good book.

The book follows Dex who is living the high life in London. With money, a great job and a revolving door of women he has it all. When his sister unexpectingly passes away, he becomes the guardian to her 8 month old daughter Delphi. He quits his job and moves to the quaint village of Briarwood where he meets next door neighbor Molly. Molly is a comic strip artist and the two form a friendship that is always closely leading to something more.

I love the little gossipy town where the villagers always seem to know everything minutes after it happens. There are few surprising moments in the book that I never saw coming and I always have trying to decide what couple will end up together.  I love how Dex fumbles his way through raising Delphi. Most other men would have given up right away but he sticks to it and finally grows up.

If you are looking for a light easy romance to read make sure to place on hold on Jill's Mansell's Don't Want to Miss a Thing which is due out in November.

Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween

Scaredy Squirrel is back giving tips on how to have a successfull Halloween. Of course Scaredy Squirrel is scared of most things with danger and unpredictability high on the list (but don't forget the germs!)

Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween: A Safety Guide for Scardies is split into 8 different chapters including Halloween Decorations (always carve a pumpkin with a friendly look!), Halloween Costumes (start looking for a costume in early June), and Halloween Candy (chocolate is good but it does melt and attracts bunnies).  Scaredy Squirrel tells everyone how to have a safe, accident free, Halloween.

This a great book to teach children about the spookiest night of the year.  It is full of funny parts and is not to scary. Scaredy Squirrel is a lovable character with OCD tendancies that everyone will love.  Make sure to place a request on the book here.