Books are a Uniquely Portable Magic — SK

As a librarian, I am often asked about my reading habits–what was the last book I read, how often do I spend reading, and who my favorite author is.  For the record the answers to the previous queries are: Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen,  about an hour a day (more on days off when I can sit in the sun and relax with a book), and Stephen King.

I LOVE Stephen King’s writing.  His short stories, novellas, and door-stop sized novels are always a joy for me to read.  You may be asking how horror novels can be a joy to read, but if you’re asking that you’ve probably never read SK.  In King’s writing the horror and supernatural elements are secondary to his wonderful characters and driving narratives–which isn’t to imply that the horror isn’t present…it absolutely is.  I freely admit that I love a good scare and I’m never disappointed with Stephen King.

I feel very lucky to count Stephen King as my favorite writer.  I immediately devour every new book of his that’s published, but I take my time savoring his back list of titles.  I’ve read 27 books by Stephen King and I always go back for another one when I need to be reminded how much I love reading.

For work (and my own personal interest) I read a lot of YA fiction.  I try to keep on top of award lists and titles that have garnered starred reviews, as well as recommendations from teens I speak with at the library.  Sometimes in the midst of all that reading I get a little overwhelmed and I start to experience the feeling that my reading is an extension of work instead of something I love to do.  Whenever I start to feel this way, I find a tattered SK paperback (I buy them at garage sales) out of  the horde in my closet and–the moment it’s opened–my love for reading is rekindled.

Who’s your favorite author?

~Tricia is the Teen Services Librarian at CPL and can’t wait to get  home and finish Different Seasons.

North of Beautiful

At 16, Terra is an aspiring artist and excellent student who dreams of escaping her current life.  She feels trapped in her Northwestern town by her domineering father and the port-wine stain on her cheek.  It isn’t until she meets Jacob–a kindred spirit in goth garb–that she begins to find her strength, her resilience, and her own definition of true beauty.

This book is beautiful.

The characters become real as a result of their flaws and their vulnerabilities.   The relationship that develops between Terra and Jacob is enviable (who wouldn’t want Jacob as a friend/boyfriend?) and the complexity of Terra’s family, especially the interactions with her mother, make this novel poignant on an even deeper level.

You MUST read this book.

I loved it so much that I checked out Girl Overboard and was equally amazed by the strength and beauty of Syrah.  These are entirely different books, but both have incredible young women finding their inner strength, as well as wonderful & supportive guy-friends (who become boyfriends), and complicated & affecting mother-daughter relationships.

I can’t wait for Nothing but the Truth, and a Few White Lies to come back to the library, then I will have read all 3 novels by the incomparable Justina Chen Headley.  Now that I think of it, maybe I’ll hold off on the third book, so I have something to look forward to reading on the next dreary, rainy, stay-inside-curled-up-on-the-couch reading day (we usually have quite a few in April).

For more book recommendations check out one of my favorite websites: readergirlz.  Ms. Headley is one of the founding members, so you know it has to be good. =)  Learn more about readergirlz: Operation TBD by clicking on the following icon.

~ Tricia is the Teen Services Librarian at the Chelmsford Public Library and is recommending North of Beautiful to all the lovely women in her life.

All Apologies

“Slacker” does not begin to describe the pathetic updating of this blog…BUT, I have decided there will be no more excuses!  Beginning today, this blog will become the WEEKLY book review source it was destined to be!  Check back next Tuesday for the first in a (long) series of consistently updated reviews.

Sincerely,

Tricia (CPL’s happily busy teen librarian and formerly slacking blogger).