The Awesomeness that is John Green

I just finished reading John Green's newest novel, Paper Towns...and within pages I was reminded of why he is one of my all-time favourite authors. He makes me laugh out loud and I honestly believe that if I lived in the same town as John Green, we could be friends (how cool would that be?!).

Paper Towns is part comedy, part mystery, a little bit of romance, and all awesome. His writing is smart, and quirky, and he has this way of writing that you can hear the characters' voices and care what happens to them...I could easily see any of his books (Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines) made into a movie.

Both of his previous books have won a Printz award (for Excellence in Young Adult Literature) - Looking for Alaska won in 2006; An Abundance of Katherines was an honor book in 2007. Paper Towns wasn't published in time for the 2008 awards, but fingers crossed for 2009!

Watch for Paper Towns to be out on the Library @ Rez shelves in the next few weeks (or ask me, and I can let you borrow it sooner!) - along with nearly 250 new novels that have just arrived!!

p.s. John Green has posted a Paper Towns Playlist on his blog...if you're curious, check it out!

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

Talk about not judging a book by its cover!

I have to admit, I'm guilty of choosing (or in this case, NOT choosing) books based on their cover. Even though "Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow" is on the Books with Bite list, I shied away from it, thinking that it was some kind of wilderness survival book (the girl on the front is wearing this giant parka, looks very icey, etc.) - which is not what I've been in the mood for.

But, during Rez Reads, I left my book at home one day, so I decided to pick up "Sun and Moon..." and see what it was actually about.

To my surprise, it's actually a very cool re-telling of a Nordic fairy tale...and also has elements of Beauty and the Beast. A little bit of romance, a little bit of magic/folklore, and characters that you really grow to like...it all adds up to a great read. I give it 4 out of 5 on my Rez Reads book review form.

So, shame on me for not trying it sooner...perhaps that's the next list I should create: Great books with not-so-great covers!

Review and Win!

Next week is Rez Reads here at Rez, which seems like a perfect time for me to remind you to review any of the books you're reading!! For every book review that you fill in and submit, you'll get a ballot for the draw for a $25 Chapters gift certificate!!

I know a lot of you are reading...because in the first month of school alone, you signed out over 2,500 books!

And just a heads up...I've just finished ordering a bunch of new manga and novels that you should see hitting the shelves in the upcoming weeks. Remember, if you have any suggestions or requests, just send send me an email.

Welcome back Rez!

I don't know about you, but my summer FLEW by. I'm here in my office on Friday morning, preparing to re-open the doors of the library on Tuesday. And although I'd love to be sitting out on my deck reading, I'm also excited about the year ahead. I think we could have a lot of fun with Rez Reads this year!

Even if you don't feel like reading the Books with Bite titles, remember that Rez Recommends is open to any kind of book - fiction, non-fiction, graphic novel, manga series - whatever you think people should be reading! So, pick any title and fill in a review for a chance to win prizes and see your favourites end up on our annual Rez Recommends list.

I'm also looking for a group of students to form a Rez Reads advisory group - to give us suggestions for activities, books to read...anything to make Rez Reads and the library @ Rez better! If you're interested in applying (or even just have questions for now), simply email me and let me know why you'd like to help out. I'll post more info as the year progresses.

So, until Tuesday, enjoy your long weekend...and happy reading!

Breaking Dawn ~ Stephanie Meyer

I don't care what any of the critics say, I LOVED the final book in the Twilight series. Yes, it does take a twist that I wasn't expecting, but it seemed completely appropriate somehow.

Breaking Dawn was one of those rare finales where I didn't feel cheated - it ended, and I was satisfied. Will I miss Bella and Edward (and the rest of the Cullens) and Jacob? Sure. But do I feel like Stephanie Meyer left anything out? No.

Tell me what YOU thought of Breaking Dawn...leave a comment on this post and let's see who agrees with me, and who sides with the critics!

I'm not going to say anymore, because I don't want to spoil anything for any of you who haven't read it yet. But I will say, I'm going to give the series 5 out of 5 on my Rez Recommends form...and be sure to stock up on multiple copies of each book for our library!

Before I Die ~ Jenny Downham

This book is probably one of the saddest books I have ever read...but somehow, because it is so honest, and so beautifully written, it manages NOT to be depressing.

You know that Tessa is going to die. Right at the beginning of the book, you learn that her leukemia has returned, and she has very little time left to live. So, she creates a list of the things she still wants to do before she dies. The book talks frankly of sex and drugs…but it all makes sense in the context of a young woman who is frantically trying to take control of what time she has left. To edit that out would have seemed dishonest.

Tessa tells her own story so honestly that it's impossible to put down. This book is NOT for the faint of heart. It is gritty, and raw, and gut-wrenchingly sad. I started crying (sobbing) about 40 pages from the end of the book and didn't stop. (Probably good to avoid reading this one on a bus or other public place!!)

Of all of the books on the Books with Bite list, this is the first one that I've given a 5 out of 5 on my Rez Recommends book review form.

The Luxe ~ Anna Godbersen

This novel felt like Pride and Prejudice meets Gossip Girls. It had all of the detail, description, and mannerisms of a classic historical novel, transporting you to end-0f-the-nineteenth-century New York City. But, layered on top of this was the added intrigue of gossip, hidden romances, back-stabbing, and deception.

I was slightly disappointed with The Luxe, however. It seemed like the entire 430+ page novel was merely setting up the sequel. And for the first 200 pages, I wasn't sure I'd even want to read it! There was something about the characters that didn't sit well with me…I was supposed to feel sympathetic to the heroine, but I didn't really like her (until near the end of the novel). And the characters I did like, were in love with people that I found annoying.

However, the more I read, the more I enjoyed it. And I'm hoping the sequel, Rumors, will develop the story, and characters, further.