Staff Favorites

Our last staff favorite post of the school year!

"What's Your Favorite Book?"

DINA'S BOOK

Set in mid-19th century Norway and infused with Scandinavian-style magical realism, this spellbinding novel calls to mind Eliot's Middlemarch and the film Babette's Feast. Willful Dina's character is shaped by her involvement in the grisly accident that kills her mother, after which she temporarily loses the power of speech and permanently distances herself from the strictures of upper-class life in remote, sub-Arctic Nordland. Though beset by ghosts and a nearly papable grief, Dina proves to be a survivor. Insightful, memorable characterizations, coupled with spare, unadorned prose, move the haunting narrative swiftly to its enigmatic finish. Wassmo was named ``The Author of the Eighties'' by Norwegian booksellers

Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

Staff Favorites

A new post each Sunday as we ask our staff.....

"What's Your Favorite Book?"

To Kill a Mockingbird

I have read this book probably four times during different periods of my life, and each time it moves me in perhaps subtly different ways. The inequalities, the personalities, the relationships--all of this challenges me. Of course the character Boo Radley has made me think over and over again about who he really is and the needs he may have had. I think it's time to read it again!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

It is the culmination of a fantastic series and is a book that I cannot put down once I have started it!

Staff Favorites

A new post each Sunday as we ask our staff.....

"What's Your Favorite Book?"

Blindness by José Saramago

From Nobel Prize–winning author José Saramago, a magnificent, mesmerizing parable of lossThe book portraits amazingly human nature from kindness to the scariest and violent side of Humankind. I love the way the novel is written the fact that there are no paragraphs, chapters of full stop amazed me. Also, the way the author describes the scenes is incredibly real and fantastically written that you can smell, you can perfectly see as it was really all said in the book. Also, there is a movie with Julien Moore based on the book, but no comparison with the greatness of the book.

Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracey Kidder

This is the inspiring biography of Dr. Paul Farmer, founder of Partners in Health, a global medical nonprofit. Dr. Farmer is a physician/anthropologist who has dedicated his life to providing quality healthcare for the poor, a luxury usually reserved only for the wealthy and privileged of the world. The book narrates his constant travels between his rural clinic in Haiti and his clinical rounds in Boston, where is the Director of Infectious Disease at Harvard Medical School. If you are interested in medicine, anthropology or human rights, this book will absolutely inspire you.

Staff Favorites

A new post each Sunday as we ask our staff.....

"What's Your Favorite Book?"

Modoc

I love elephants. It's a true story about an elephant.

Oh, the places you'll go!

Because it lifts and spirit and inspires us to reach for the stars!

Staff Favorites

A new post each Sunday as we ask our staff.....

"What's Your Favorite Book?"

There's just so many....

The Gallic Wars

An incredible (and real) insight into life in Europe 2000 years ago from a first-hand perspective of a conqueror, dictator, emperor - Caesar. If you want to feel what life, and war, was like then, read this book!

The Iliad

Storytelling at it's best. A story that is thousands of years old, told by a master - Homer. Where demi-gods and warriors battle for glory and life ever-lasting. And the Greek gods play with humanity at their own whims.

Foundation Series

Isaac Asimov. Just read anything by him to be inspired by the future and its possibilities. The Foundation Series is a supremely creative science fiction look at the future of humankind, but through such accessible and readable stories and plots. 

Have Spacesuit, Will Travel

Robert Heinlein. A science fiction tale of child wonder and creativity mixed with space adventure. A story that grabs from page one and never lets go, bringing strange ideas comfortably home.

A Brief History of Time

Stephen Hawking. If you ever want to feel that you understand the universe the way a physicist does, then read this book. Mind-bending ideas of how the cosmos really is are presented in such a way that you feel awed and also capable of grasping the nature of nature.

Ursula K. Le Guin - The Earthsea Trilogy

Deep and powerful magic flows through these books, not only in the unique worlds created but through the very magic of Le Guin's carefully crafted sentences and phrases.

Isabel Allende - Ines of my Soul

Just wow! You want history, driving story, strength of character, and a war or two, then this is for you. And, when you read it aloud, it just sounds beautiful.

Jane Austen - Emma

There are sentences in this book that go on for a page. If you want to know what literary looks like, this is it. This book taught me what subtlety of word and gesture really mean - it helped me understand people better. 

Staff Favorites

A new post each Sunday as we ask our staff.....

"What's Your Favorite Book?"

All the Light We Cannot See

Into the Wild

I love how Chris McCandless goes against the norm, leaving traditional life and society behind... after completing university of course! He instead chooses a life of experiences over money, status or material objects. Although the story is a bit of a tragedy, it is inspiring nonetheless.

Staff Favorites

A new post each Sunday as we ask our staff.....

"What's Your Favorite Book?"

Eleanor and Park

I loved the characters in this book. They seemed very real and I became very attached to them. It is a wonderful story of friendship and acceptance.

The Book Thief

Markus Zuzak's writing paints pictures with words and his choice of narrator for the story makes the story even more compelling. 

Paper Hearts by Ali Novak

"I'm sorry," he said, slowly untying the ribbon that held his mask in place. "It's just-I didn't want you to think of me any differently." 

Somehow I kept my mouth from falling open. I knew his face, but my mind couldn't accept that he was the person looking down at me. 

"My real name is Alec."

Felicity has her entire future planned. Ever since her older sister ran away, she's had the full weight of her mother's expectations on her shoulders. So she works hard to get straight As and save for college. 

Except sometimes the best things in life are unplanned-like when Felicity meets a handsome, masked stranger while she is volunteering at a charity masquerade ball. She never thought he'd flirt with her. And she certainly never thought he'd turn out to be a member of the world-famous Heartbreakers band, Alec. 

Then Felicity uncovers a shocking family secret. Suddenly, she, Alec, and her two best friends are off on a road trip to find Felicity's missing sister. And she's about to discover that unexpected turns have a peculiar way of landing her right where she needs to be...

 Why you should read this book:

• This is the next book in the series The Heartbreak Chronicles.  I loved the first (The Heartbreakers) so much that I picked up this one immediatly.
• Romantic and fun!
• If you are a fan of boy-bands, this is your type of book.
• As you know, I am a sucker for books where a famous person/prince/billionaire falls for a normal person!
• Interested in what Book 3 will be like?  Check out the next book by Ali Novak on the story platform Wattpad: 
  https://www.wattpad.com

Coming Soon! Paper Hearts will arrive in our summer book order.

Staff Favorites

A new post each Sunday as we ask our staff.....

"What's Your Favorite Book?"

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!

It shows how people are multi-dimensional.

A History of the World by Andrew Marr

This is a book I can read over and over again. I have new insights on our present human condition from the re-reading.It is not conventional history but a thought-provoking series of questions and possible answers. Is the nature of man basically good? Why do men/women seek power? Do we learn the lessons of history... can we even define what these lessons are? How is history shaped by circumstances such as natural disasters, famine, individual mission!

Staff Favorites

A new post each Sunday as we ask our staff.....

"What's Your Favorite Book?"

Harry Potter Series

They are amazing!

Stranger in a Strange Land

Robert Heinlein's mind bending futuristic satire that turns our notions of society, politics, organized religion, sexuality, economics, and the rest of our norms and conventions upside down! A cult classic from the 60s that influenced the counter culture movements of the time, it still speaks to us today. Read it if you dare, and see how it challenges your perspectives. A fun, deep read.

The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak

"When I met Oliver Perry, I had no clue he was the lead singer for The Heartbreakers. And he had no idea that I was the only girl in the world who hated his music."

Stella will do anything for her sick sister, Cara-even stand in line for an autographed Heartbreakers CD...for four hours. She's totally winning best birthday gift this year. At least she met a cute boy with soft brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes while getting her caffeine fix. Too bad she'll never see him again.

Except, Stella's life has suddenly turned into a cheesy love song. Because Starbucks Boy is Oliver Perry – lead singer for the Heartbreakers. And even after she calls his music crap, Oliver still gives Stella his phone number. And whispers quotes from her favorite Disney movie in her ear. OMG, what is her life?

But how can Stella even think about being with Oliver – dating and laughing and pulling pranks with the band – when her sister could be dying of cancer?

Why you should read this book:

• Romantic and fun!
• If you are a fan of boy-bands, this is your type of book.
• A light read that also addresses deeper issues of family and self-discovery.
• I am a sucker for books where a famous person/prince/billionaire falls for a normal person.

Find The Heartbreakers in our OverDrive e-book library!

Staff Favorites

A new post each Sunday as we ask our staff.....

"What's Your Favorite Book?"

Beloved by Toni Morrison

No other book punched me in the gut like this one. Absolutely haunting.

Current Favorite: Warcross

My favorite book changes often! Warcross was a book I thought I would dislike, but ended up finishing in 2 days. It is my current favorite because it was out of my "reading comfort zone" yet still hooked me in!

Treehouse Art

One of our third grade classes asked if I would display their collaborative treehouse art in the library. Here is their display of very fun looking treehouses surrounding a community soccer field.  It is nice to have student art in the library!

Staff Favorites

A new post each Sunday as we ask our staff.....

"What's Your Favorite Book?"

The Stand by Stephen King

I love how detailed the characters are and how they change throughout the book. (And the apocalypse is cool to read about too!) 

Charlotte's Web

Fortnite read-alikes

I found this fun display idea online at the Skinner Middle School Library website and related MinervaReads blog.  Fortnite is a big hit with our MS/ES students so we decided to copy their display idea.

Here's our new display:

And here's a close up of the books we have.  Unfortunately, we don't have all of them from the book list Skinner Middle School provided, but still a good selection!

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom. Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball, and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck (and her dad’s old costume), Elle’s determined to win…unless her stepsisters get there first.
 
Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons—before he was famous. Now they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but the Starfield fandom has written him off as just another dumb heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake—until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise.

Why you should read this book:

• It's a modern-day Cinderella story, wicked stepmother and all.
• Embrace your inner geek.
• If you don't know what Cosplay is, Google it (I had too!)
• I am a sucker for books where a famous person/prince/billionaire falls for a normal person.

Find Geekerella in our library at: ROMANCE F POS

Wildcard by Marie Lu

Emika Chen barely made it out of the Warcross Championships alive. Now that she knows the truth behind Hideo's new NeuroLink algorithm, she can no longer trust the one person she's always looked up to, who she once thought was on her side.

Determined to put a stop to Hideo's grim plans, Emika and the Phoenix Riders band together, only to find a new threat lurking on the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. Someone's put a bounty on Emika's head, and her sole chance for survival lies with Zero and the Blackcoats, his ruthless crew. But Emika soon learns that Zero isn't all that he seems--and his protection comes at a price.

Caught in a web of betrayal, with the future of free will at risk, just how far will Emika go to take down the man she loves?

In this explosive sequel to the New York Times bestselling Warcross, Marie Lu delivers an addictive finale that will hold you captive till the very last page.

 Why you should read this book:

• I finished Wildcard in two days.  If you know me, you know I am a slow reader.  Two days means I was enthralled (and also on winter break!)
• The ending surprised me.
• If you haven't read Warcross (Book 1) yet, read that first!
• I never thought I'd enjoy a book about gaming.  This series proved me wrong.
• This series would make a great movie.  I hope they decide to make them into one, or two!

Coming soon in our winter book order!
Find Wildcard in our library at: SCI-FI F LU

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

(Amazon.com)

A New York Times bestseller

A summer in Italy turns into a road trip across Tuscany in this sweeping debut novel filled with romance, mystery, and adventure.

Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, but she isn’t in the mood for Italy’s famous sunshine and fairy-tale landscape. She’s only there because it was her mother’s dying wish that she get to know her father. But what kind of father isn’t around for sixteen years? All Lina wants to do is get back home.

But then Lina is given a journal that her mom had kept when she lived in Italy. Suddenly Lina’s uncovering a magical world of secret romances, art, and hidden bakeries. A world that inspires Lina, along with the ever-so-charming Ren, to follow in her mother’s footsteps and unearth a secret that has been kept for far too long. It’s a secret that will change everything Lina knew about her mother, her father—and even herself.

People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more.

Why you should read this book:

• The characters go to an International School; you will make connections between this story and your international life.
• It has been on the YALSA Teen Top Ten List.
• Italy and Ice Cream....need I say more?
• I am a sucker for a good romance book and this is a good YA romance.

Find Love & Gelato in our library at: ROMANCE F WEL