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Posts Tagged ‘awesome’
Whip It by Juicy Fruit
Friday, April 8th, 2011A Librarian Reads Frankie Landau-Banks
Thursday, March 17th, 2011
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Frankie is a sophomore at an elite boarding school called Alabaster. Her father went to Alabaster and is still friends with his high school companions to this very day. They help each other get jobs, promotions, and most of all money. Frankie’s father claims that Alabaster is where she will learn how the world works. But all Frankie can see is that Alabaster is where young white men with money become old white men with even more money. How does she as a female fit into that world?
One example of the male centric attitude at Alabaster is a secret society that Frankie’s father used to belong to: The Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. It’s a male only club that pulls pranks, but also is made up of the most influential male upperclassmen of Alabaster. These are the future businessmen, lawyers, and politicians; those who could most impact the world.
But Frankie can’t join because she is a woman. What is worse is that the Order wouldn’t even conceive of letting women be a part of it. It just so happens that Frankie’s new boyfriend is the leader of the current Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. But what is better is that she discovers that the order has lost the Order’s journal that details its notorious history.
Frankie decides then what she will do. She will find the Order’s journal, and then covertly take over the Order through an anonymous email address. Then with the Order’s help she hopes to pull off the best school prank that Alabaster has seen in decades. Then she can prove that she is just as good as any man.
Except Frankie gets carried away with proving herself. What is she really after? And once the pranks start piling up who will take the blame? Is Frankie willing to betray her friends, boyfriend, and the school just to make a point? Does Frankie even know what point she is making? Or has she just fallen to the basest of motivations: revenge?
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks is an amazingly entertaining and thought provoking book. It is highly recommended and appropriate for ages 14 and up.
A Librarian Reads Zombies Vs Unicorns
Monday, December 13th, 2010
Zombies Vs. Unicorns edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier
This anthology easily became one of my favorite reads of the year. It poses a simple question: which supernatural creature, zombie or unicorn, is better? In order to find out the answer the editors gathered zombie and unicorn stories from some of the best young adult writers in the world.
The stories in the anthology rotate between zombie themed and unicorn themed. The interesting aspect of the anthology is that there is so many different aspects of both zombies and unicorns that ideas rarely get repeated. Each story feels fresh and original, as well as fun. There is definitely a tongue in cheek feeling to most of the stories in the anthology.
So if you are looking for a quick, fun, and engaging book for winter break then pick up Zombies Vs. Unicorns. I highly recommend it. It is appropriate for readers 16 and older due to some foul language and sexual innuendo in a small number of the stories.
Kilian Martin: A Skate Regeneration
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010Wow. Such a mesmerizing video.
You should also check out our new skateboarding books in the Quad, such as:
Full Bleed: New York City Skateboard Photography by Alex Corporan, Andre Razo, Ivory Serra
A Librarian Reads Behemoth
Friday, October 15th, 2010
BehemothDeryn and Alek continue their adventure across World War I Europe. Their goal is to arrive in Istanbul, the heart of the Ottoman Empire. There they will try to make peace with the Sultan before the Ottoman Empire can join the war against Britain.
Count Volger has other plans for Alek. He decides they must escape from Leviathan and survive on their own. Unfortunately not all the Austrians make it. Alek is now in charge of only a few men in enemy territory. Does he stay hidden and safe like Volger would want? Or does he try to help revolutionaries overthrow the Sultan to ensure the Ottomans stay our of the war?
Deryn on the other hand is given a secret mission and men of her own. She needs to bring down the Sultans steal fishing nets that stop British krakens from accessing Istanbul’s ports. She succeeds in her mission but is trapped behind enemy lines. Alone and on foot she needs to find the Leviathan or else face capture or death.
But fate has a way of bringing Alek and Deryn together. Together they can overcome their problems, but they will risk life and limb before it’s over.
This is an excellent sequel that really progresses the story of Alek and Deryn. It is action packed and a delightful read. Highly recommended and appropriate for all ages.