And now.... New books (so far) for January!

Young Adult NEW ARRIVALS January 2012
“Future of us” by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
“Every other day” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
“Girls don’t fly” by Kristen Chandler
“Demon king: A seven realms novel” book 1, “Exiled Queen” book 2, and“The gray wolf throne” book 3 by Cinda Williams Chima
“The widow and the king” by John Dickinson
“This gorgeous game” by Donna Freitas
“Her mother’s diary” by David Curry Kahn
“Firestorm” by David Klass
“Pearl” by Jo Knowles
“Cinder” by Marissa Meyer
“Everlasting” by Alyson Noel
“Shadow Dragons” book 4 and “Dragon’s Apprentice” book 5 by James A. Owen
“How to save a life” by Sara Zarr
NEW NON-FICTION
“How Rude! The teenagers’ guide to good manners…” by Alex J. Packer
“Birmingham Sunday” by Larry Dane Brimner
COMING SOON NEW BIOGRAPHY:
“I have lived a thousand years: growing up in the holocaust” by Livia Bitton-Jackson

OOPS this is late! Here are the new books for December

Young Adult NEW ARRIVALS December 2011
“The Lost Songs” by Caroline B Cooney
“A Christmas Carol” GN by Charles Dickens
“Fateful” by Claudia Gray
“The lipstick laws” by Amy Holder
“The Iron Thorn” by Caitlin Kittredge
“Without Tess” by Marcella Pixley
“Daughter of Smoke & Bone” by Laini Taylor
“Inside Out” by Terry Trueman
“Angel Burn” by L. A. Weatherly
“Goliath” by Scott Westerfeld
NEW NON-FICTION
“Moby-Dick in Pictures “ by Matt Kish
“Survival Skills: how to survive in the wild” by Simon Ellar
“Sleep disorders” by Sylvia Engdahl
“Anxiety disorders” by Paul and Sarah Hina
“Doomsday scenarios” by Noah Berlatsky
“Judicial activism” by Noah Berlatsky
“Reforming Wall Street” by David Haugen and Susan Musser
“Pollution” by Louise Gerdes
“Cyberbullying” by Louise Gerdes
“Charles Dickens and the street children of London” by Andrea Warren

The Forest of Hands and Teeth By: Carrie Ryan

     The Forest of Hands and Teeth tells the story of Mary, a teenager, living in a post apocalyptic society.  A disease called The Return has raged across America and turned all those infected into zombies.  Mary lives in the only village left tucked deep into the forest.  Gates keep out all those infected and life goes on.  

     I enjoyed this book it was fast paced and action packed.  It was a very interesting premise and I thought the zombie aspect was very well done.  It was a nice read but not very deep.  I got a little tired of the love triangle aspect towards the end but overall it was still a good read.  If you're looking for a quick read that combines sci fi and romance this is the book for you.

The Name Of The Star: Maureen Johnson

Overview: Aurora "Rory" Deveaux, originally from a small town in Louisiana, moves to London to go to boarding school. The day she arrives, a gruesome murder mimicking the first of the Jacker the Ripper crimes of 1888 occurs. In the following months, "Rippermania"takes over London as the Ripper-like crimes continue. Rory quickly becomes friends with her roommate, Jazza, and Jerome. After nearly choking at dinner one evening, Rory begins to see mysterious people that none of her friends can see. On the eve of one of the predicted Ripper attacks, Rory and Jazza sneak out of their dorm to see the London streets from the boys dorm and wait for the attack with Jerome. When climbing back into their room, Rory sees and talks to a strange man the Jazza cannot seem to see. The next morning, the Ripper's next victim appears in the middle of Rory's school's campus, and Rory finds herself caught up in a dangerous, supernatural mystery.

Review: Let me first say that I love Maureen Johnson. Her writing style is quirky and funny without being forced. Her characters are likable, interesting, and relatively believable, and none of them come off as whiny, even though it would be easy to take them in that direction.

This book had an interesting plot, with a spooky, supernatural sort of tone. It's a book for a rainy day (but aren't all books better when it's raining?), and curling up with a cup of tea and a mountain of blankets. That's how I read it, actually. In bed with darjeeling, sage honey, and 1% in my favorite mug. One of the things I liked about this book was its believability. Johnson writes about a real place with possible characters and events, and adds just one thing. You don't get caught up in a confusing supernatural world. Aside from the existence of ghosts, most of the events in the book could actually happen. Some stuff pertaining to the ghosts got a little far-fetched, but that is to be expected with any fantasy novel.

I recommend this book, as it is creative, amusing, and, while not exactly deep and existential, a worthwhile, quick read. Honestly, I'd recommend any of Johnson's books. The Name Of The Star is apparently the first in a series, and I will certainly be anticipated the newest installment.

Leviathan By: Scott Westerfield

Overview:  Alek is thrust into a world of danger and adventure when his father Franz Ferdinand is assassinated and war breaks out in Europe.  Can he escape the Germans who are determined to capture him at all costs?  Deryn has always dreamed of becoming an airmen in the army but girls aren't allowed. Will her secret be discovered before her dreams of becoming an airmen can become a reality?  Leviathan tells the story of an alternate WWI where beast meets machine to create fabulous hybrids.  This book is fast paced and action packed and has something for everyone.  I really enjoyed it and am currently reading the second one which is just as good.

Review:  This was my first experience with steam punk and I was not disappointed.  I think this is Scott Westerfield's strongest book by far.  The characters were relatable and easy to connect with.  I couldn't put this book down and rushed to the library to get the second one the minute I was finished.  It has some really awesome illustrations that add a whole new dimension to the story.  It had a nice blend of history and fantasy.  This is definitely a book worth picking up!

Brisingr By: Christopher Paolini

Overview:  Eragon's action packed adventure continues in the third book of the series.  Will Roran be able to rescue Katrina?  Who will be the next dwarf queen?  Will the Varden finally destroy Galbatorix? Find out in the latest installment of the Inheritance series.  This book will appeal to guys who like fantasy and readers who are already a fan of the series.

Review:  I really liked the first book in the series and felt luke warm about the second installment which I felt was to long and was in need of some serious editing.  This book suffers from similar problems.  Paolini leaves no stone unturned which is a double edged stone.  You find out every little detail about every thing in the book which can get tiresome.  It started with a bang and ended the same way with a lot of boring uneventless pages in between.  That being said I did read the whole thing and while I was frustrated at times I'm glad I read it and will continue on and read the 4th book.  It has a very interesting concept and original ideas which I think make it worth trudging through some unneeded filler.

Fans of the series won't be disappointed while readers who were dissatisfied with the previous books should probably leave this one on the shelf.  There is some nice character development and we see a lot more of Roran and Katrina in this book which I think were the most interesting bits of the whole series.  It didn't wow me but overall it was an improvement from Eldest but a step down from Eragon.  Worth your time if you've stuck with the series so far.

I want to update you all on a few things.
First of all we received a few more books since my last list - I will put them on the December list later this week.
Secondly, I am trying DESPERATELY to update the non-fiction books for Young Adults. HELP!
I want to get some biographies as well as current interest for you all. Let me know by responding to the post, or see me at the Library.
Thanks!