Friday Finds for February 28, 2014

This is a sometimes weekly blog post featuring what the Dorris Van Doren staff members are reading, watching, playing, making, or listening to. Share your finds with us here in the comments or on twitter (@elpasolibrary) and we'll retweet you!

This week, we have two recommendations for your listening and reading pleasure!

Lluvia: Carrie by Stephen King (Playaway)

This is the well known story of the creepy girl with telekinesis, in which the 70’s movie was based on, and this audio version of the book is so entwined with the film version that Sissy Spacek does the narration. What makes the difference in this edition of the novel is the introduction done by the author Steven King, in which he recounts the heartbreaking inspirations for the main character. That is when you realize that, telekinesis aside, Carrie is a real girl with real problems and that changes the whole story. It goes from creepy girl to painfully bullied girl and you feel for her. I recommend reading the novel for more a human connection to the character that the films do not seem to reach.

Lisa: The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence (ebook)

If you tuned into this blog a couple of weeks ago, you'll know that I'm participating in YALSA's The Hub Reading Challenge. Click here to read about it and find out what I read first. 

This is the second book that I read for the challenge, and I loved it, but not at first. It took me time to get into it because it begins with the end of the story, and I wasn't clear where the author was going. It's about a British teenager who is famous for surviving being struck by a meteorite when he was ten. Alex ends up befriending an elderly American. The book is about meteors, epilepsy, Kurt Vonnegut, marijuana, and more!

It's funny, sad, and endearing. Check it out! Unfortunately, we only have it available as an ebook. 

This book won an Alex Award, which is given to 10 books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12-18.

Friday Finds for February 14, 2014

This is a sometimes weekly blog post featuring what the Dorris Van Doren staff members are reading, watching, playing, making, or listening to. Share your finds with us here in the comments or on twitter (@elpasolibrary) and we'll retweet you!

This week, we have two book recommendations!

Paola: Tandem by Anna Jarzab 

I was captivated by this book not only because of the new perspective on parallel worlds but also because it was entertaining and fun to read. I enjoyed the relationship between the main characters and although there is romance throughout the book, it didn’t overpower the conversations or chapters in the book. This book also included some action and mystery scenes making it a well rounded book. Overall I found this book to be refreshing and I would recommend you to check it out and give it a try.

Lisa: Far Far Away by Tom McNeal

This is a book that I would've never picked up on my own if it wasn't for the Hub Reading Challenge that I'm participating in. The Young Adult Services Library Association has a YA literature blog that hosts a Reading Challenge every year after the Youth Media Awards (Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, etc.) are announced. The goal is to read 25 books by June 22 from a list of award winners and book lists. For details on how you can participate and the list of titles, visit this blog post.

The title and book cover of Far Far Away did not appeal to me, but I did like the premise. Jeremy can hear voices of dead people in his head from time to time. One ghost hears of Jeremy's gift and is told that harm will eventually befall Jeremy. That ghost is the narrator and happens to be the famous Jacob Grimm. Jacob finds Jeremy and is determined to protect him from the "Finder of Occasions," which could be anyone in the small town of Never Better. 

I really liked this book and the way the story unfolded. It had a dark and foreboding tone. There are plenty of fairy tale references, but the book stays realistic, never making it a fantasy or paranormal novel, with the exception of Jacob's ghost of course. This book also made me want to learn more about the Grimms. 

Far Far Away is a National Book Award Finalist and on YALSA's 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults list. 

Blind Date with a Book

Happy Valentine's Day from the Dorris Van Doren Library!

Whether you've got a Valentine or not, the Dorris Van Doren staff has arranged some very eligible book bachelors for you. Visit our new books area to find the blind date display. These books have been selected by staff members and wrapped to conceal their identities. A few subject keywords have been written on them to help you determine if you'll hit it off. After you've found your blind date, take it to the circulation desk or self-check out machine to check out and take home. Unwrap the book, and if you find that you're not a match, there's no need to commit. Simply return the book and no one's feelings will be hurt.

If blind dates make you nervous, take a look at our display in the lobby for suggestions or visit the information desk. One of our matchmakers, aka librarians, will try to find the right book for you.

Not ready for a blind date? Try these suggestions!