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Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials – adaptation coming soon!

Book cover courtesy of SyndeticsThe teaser trailer just dropped for the BBC adaptation of His Dark Materials and it’s super exciting! It has an amazing cast. Just waiting to get a glance of the daemons and I’m a happy fan. There’s no release date yet, but in the meantime, we have some “materials” of our own to help with the hype…

There are all of the books in Philip Pullman’s award winning series: Northern Lights (published in the US as The Golden Compass), The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. We also have other books set in the same universe: Once upon a time in the North, Lyra’s Oxford, and the first part of his “Book of Dust” series, La Belle Sauvage.

We also have audiobook and graphic novel versions.

Creative Writing Workshops with Anna Mackenzie

Is there something you’ve always wanted to say, but you’re not quite sure how to say it? Or perhaps you know how to say it, but you’d like to learn how to say it better? Maybe you like how you say things, but you’re searching for ideas on what to talk about?

Well, you’re in luck. The wonderful Anna Mackenzie is coming to Wellington City Libraries to run two creative writing workshops for all you creative folks out there!

Dates and Times:

Karori Library, Thursday May 3, 4:00-6:00pm
Johnsonville Library, Friday May 4, 4:00-6:00pm

You can register either in person at the Libraries where the workshops are taking place, or by calling Karori Library on 476 8413, or Johnsonville Library on 477 6151.

Anna Mackenzie

Exams are coming…

…and the Central Library has you covered. We’ve got NCEA study guides, and if the one you need is out, just bring some ID to the CYA desk on the ground floor and we’ll get you a reference copy. Those can’t be issued but you can keep them for a few hours to sort out that particularly knotty problem.

There are big tables in the YA area for group study but if you need some more peace and quiet, head up to the Second Floor to our dedicated study area. There are also a lot of desks around the windows on the first and ground floors…and if you get bored you can always look out over our wonderful view.

We’ve also got access to the cbdfree wifi network. Thirty minutes free internet using your own device, for those times you might need to check your Facebook or email. (This librarian does not support procrastination, however…it happens.) Signal’s strongest on the first and second floors.

Good luck with your exams! Kia Kaha!

Prepare yourself for the games

The 74th Hunger Games are nearly upon us (attendance is mandatory). In the intervening two (!) weeks, you can familiarise yourself with the politics of Panem: visit the official government webpage. It has really cool landscape navigation (fancy scrolling right instead of down!). You can become a citizen (District 4’s population could do with a boost). Or find out if the trackerjackers are particularly bad this season, or keep up to date with Capitol news. Plus more.

(You can also pre-purchase tickets to the film – the first showing as at one minute past midnight on Thursday the 22nd of March.)

Waiting on Wednesday

Here are some interesting titles we’ve ordered recently.

15 Days Without a Head, Dave Cousins. Laurence lives with his six year old brother Jay, and his alcoholic mother. One day his mother doesn’t come home from work, and Laurence is left to care for himself and his brother, fearing that their predicament will be discovered, and they will be separated. Happily, Laurence discovers a friend in Mina, who is keen to help him track down his mum. The author’s blog is here.

Starters, Lissa Price. Years ago (although still in the future) a killer bug (deliberately spread) wiped out anyone who was not vaccinated against it. Those who were were the very old and the very young. Callie and her younger brother have no grandparents to look after them, so they live life by their wits, on the run. Things seem to be looking up when they come across Prime Destinations, a group run by The Old Man: a potential income source. Prime Destinations organises for teenagers rent their bodies out to the older people who’d like to be young again (yes, we know, yuck, can you imagine?), using neurochip technology. When it’s Callie’s turn her neurochip malfunctions and she wakes up in her wealthy renter’s life.

Department 19: The Rising, Will Hill. The sequel to Department 19, which people said some touchingly lovely things about (such as “…plenty of high-octane action, groovy specialized vampire-fighting equipment, buckets of gore, intriguing historical side trips and even a little romance…” (from Amazon) which, let’s face it, if you were an author you’d be happy with).

There is an active Facebook page (Department 19 exists!) with interactive elements. And a book trailer:

Waiting on Wednesday

So much stuff to anticipate. This week: a couple of film companions:

The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion, Kate Egan. Find out all about the movie! Here’s what to expect: “The New York Times bestseller by Suzanne Collins is now a major motion picture – and this is your guide to all of the movie’s excitement, both in front of the camera and behind it. Go behind the scenes of the making of The Hunger Games with exclusive images and interviews. From the screenwriting process to the casting decisions to the elaborate sets and costumes to the actors’ performances and directors’ vision, this is the definitive companion to the breathtaking film.” (Amazon.com)

The Hunger Games Tribute Guide, Emily Seife. “Here is the ultimate guide to the twenty-four Tributes participating in Panem’s 74th annual Hunger Games. Follow the Tributes’ journey from the Reaping to the Games, with a look at all the highlights along the way–the Tribute Parade, the stations of the Training Center, the interviews, and more. Get exclusive information about the Tributes’ strengths and weaknesses, their weapons of choice, and their experience in the Capitol before entering the arena.” (Amazon.com)

And a couple of quirky love stories:

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, Jennifer E Smith. Hadley is waiting to catch a plane from New York to London, to attend her father’s wedding to a woman she’s never met. Fortunately, and improbably, there’s actually someone interesting in the airport departure lounge: Oliver. Even more fortunately and improbably, it turns out they’re pretty much seated next to each other on the plane. Set over a breathless 24 hours. Jolly good.

The Fault in our Stars, John Green. Hazel has cancer, and she’s receiving treatment that is working, in that her tumour is shrinking but not disappearing. She’s lived a long time with the “terminal” tag, but when she meets Augustus at a cancer support group, her life takes a turn for the more interesting. “Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind” (Goodreads.com).

Here’s John Green reading the first chapter (there is also chapter two available for viewing here).

A little birdie told me that he signed the first 150,000 copies of the book: here’s one of his vlogs about this (thanks, birdie):

Waiting on Wednesday

It’s 2012! No, truly!

Here’s a couple of things we’re looking forward to getting.

Variant, Robison Wells. The author describes this as dystopian-ish. Other people have suggested that if you enjoyed Divergent by Veronica Roth and the Gone series by Michael Grant then this should be right up your alley. From Amazon.com:

“Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life. He was wrong. Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive. Where breaking the rules equals death. But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.”

Fallen in Love, Lauren Kate (February). For lovers of the Fallen series, here’s a collection of four (longish) short stories set in the Middle Ages. They feature Luce and Daniel, but also fill you in on how other characters like Roland and Arriane got to be who they are.

Thanks Stephanie for the tips.

Incidentally also, Rapture, the final novel in the Fallen series, will be released in about June/July this year. We will let you know when it’s available for reserving.

Other things in the long range forecast for 2012 include (for example):

  • The Fault in Our Stars, John Green (early this year). John Green! Long time no see!
  • Pandemonium, Lauren Oliver (early this year). The sequel to Delirium.
  • A Million Suns, Beth Revis (early this year). The sequel to Across the Universe.
  • Fear, Michael Grant (May). The second to last in the Gone series.
  • – Insurgent, Veronica Roth (May/June). The sequel to Divergent (obvs.).
  • – City of Lost Souls, Cassandra Clare (June)
  • – The Rise of Nine, Pittacus Lore (August/September)

Plus some that will sneak up and surprise you. Must start a to-read list.

Waiting on Wednesday

This week: two big future hits:

City of Lost Souls, Cassandra Clare – you might be waiting a while for this one, since it’s due in May next year. We’ve ordered it, which means you can reserve it! This is the fifth book in the Mortal Instruments series that began with City of Bones. The plot is a bit under wraps, as is the cover: all may be revealed in time!

Legend, Marie Lu – this one is getting a lot of publicity, and the film rights have already been purchased by the producers of Twilight. Legend is set in a dystopian future, where the United States is separated into several warring nations. Day, the country’s most wanted criminal, is on the run, and June, a fifteen year old military prodigy, is tasked with hunting him when her brother is murdered and Day become suspect #1. The legend of the title is revealed when their paths intersect.

Here’s the trailer (for the book!):

Thanks to Stephanie for the tips!

Waiting on Wednesday

Here are a couple of titles we’ve recently ordered which might take your fancy:

The Fire, James Patterson (Witch & Wizard number 3, due soon). Being further adventures of Whit and Wisty Allgood, in which The One has executed the final member of their family, and Wisty realises it is time for her to confront The One. But in doing so, is she only going to lend more power to The One, or can she and Whit somehow overcome the seemingly all-conquering evil?

This is, I think, the conclusion to the trilogy (famous last words!).

How to save a life, Sara Zarr (soon also). Mandy is pregnant and looking for someone to adopt her baby. Jill lost her dad a year ago, and now her mother is seemingly trying to replace him by looking to adopt a baby. Needless to say, she is unimpressed with her mother’s actions, and suspicious of Mandy’s motives. Another thought-provoking offering from the author of Sweethearts, and Once Was Lost.

Waiting on Wednesday

We’ve got some interesting new books arriving over the next few months. Here’s a sampling (you can reserve most of these now):

Goliath, Scott Westerfeld – if you’ve been reading the Leviathan trilogy (Leviathan, Behemoth), then reserve this one! Can Alek and Deryn end the war? Who is the dangerous stranger on board the Leviathan? When will Alek figure out that Deryn is a girl?

Kill All Enemies, Melvin Burgess – if you like realistic fiction that’s quite challenging, then Melvin Burgess is your man. This tells the story of three teens with troubled backgrounds, one the daughter of an alcoholic, one who has an abusive stepdad, and one who is at odds with his middle-class upbringing. Here’s a review from the Guardian.

Bitterblue, Kristin Cashore – Kristin Cashore recently announced on her blog that Bitterblue, the sequel to Graceling will be published in May 2012, so this is advance warning. Read what she has to say about getting the book published, and other things, here.

Clockwork Prince, Cassandra Clare – and finally, the second in the Infernal Devices trilogy (after Clockwork Angel), will be published in December. With the help of Jem and Will, Tessa must uncover the mystery around the Magister’s hatred of the Shadowhunters, but their every move in their search appears to be anticipated: have they been betrayed? Reserve Clockwork Prince now and get ahead in the queue!

Upcoming Fantasy

Fantasy fans might be interested to hear about a couple of upcoming releases, brought to you by the colour red.

Froi of the Exiles, Melina Marchetta (October/November) – If you’ve read Finnikin of the Rock you might remember Froi, although maybe not fondly (to say he’s a bit of a jerk is being kind). Like him or not, you’ll want to read the follow-up to Finnikin. It is three years after Lumatere was released from its curse and Froi is sent on a secret mission to Charyn where things are, I think, a bit nuts. Here’s an interview with the author (thanks to Kym for the link). Nice cover too.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, Catherynne M Valente (soonish) – If there were a prize for book titles this one would have a good shot. Originally published online, this one is neatly illustrated by Ana Juan. September is 12 years old and living in Omaha. One day she is visited by a Green Wind who tells her she’s needed in Fairyland where September must find a particular talisman for the Marquess or else she (the Marquess) will make life difficult for Fairyland. A School Library Journal reviewer said, “Think The Phantom Tollbooth crossed with The Wizard of Oz infused with the absurdity of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” which sounds awesome (you can read another SLJ review of it here).

 The author’s website is here, and below is the rather stylish book trailer:

Events this month: Urban Survival Series

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Tuesday 22nd March 4-5pm at the Central Library:
Get fit for free with Rec Welly and NZ Parkour. Find out about the free and five dollar deals in town and learn how to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

We have some fitness freebies to give away at this session – thanks Rec Welly!

Thursday 24th March 4-5pm at the Central Library:
Afford toys and gadgets
: BNZ, CAB and the Community Law Centre are here to show you how you can get the stuff you want, and what to do when that cell phone you just bought breaks down.

Monday 28th March 4-5m at the Central Library:
Plan your OE with STA travel and Volunteer Service Abroad. All the tips and tricks for having the most amazing experience ever.

STA will be giving away a Lonely Planet guide book to one lucky person at this session.

Wednesday 30th March 4-5pm at the Central Library:
Get your music and art out there: The singer from Poppy Dust and the guys from OOsh Multimedia on how collaboration, thinking outside the square,  and following your dreams can get you, your art, your music, and your life where you want them to be.

Pop Series for 2011

Reserve some now!

Entice, Carrie Jones (January 2011) – Zara has been kissed by pixie king Astley (cue Rick Astley music video*), plus Nick’s dead but there’s a chance she can save him, if Astley’s willing to help.

Grey Wolves, Robert Muchamore (Henderson’s Boys, February 2011) – the grey wolves are German U-boats that caused massive problems for the British navy in the North Atlantic. What is needed is teen spies to saboutage them in the way that only teen spies can. Like Battleship, but with espionage.

Angel, James Patterson (Maximum Ride, February 2011) – Max and Fang’s flocks must combine to defeat a doomsday cult threatening to kill all humans, but will Max be distracted by the idea that Dylan is Mr Right (as the scientists suggest)? If the title is anything to go by, Angel might be important.

Darkest Mercy, Melissa Marr (March 2011) – [mild spoiler alert] will Irial really die? Surely not. Read and find out if Melissa Marr is game enough to kill of her coolest character.

City of Fallen Angels, Cassandra Clare (April 2011) – Clary and Jace are back, and not a moment too soon, Clary and Jace fans say. This will be the fourth in the Mortal Instruments series from the prolific keyboard of Ms Clare.

Invincible, Sherrilyn Kenyon, (Chronicles of Nick, April 2011) – Nick Gautier’s life continues to become more complex and dangerous in paranormal New Orleans.

Also: for Robin McKinley fans, there’s Pegasus

* Sorry, but you really can’t beat a good Rick Astley video. The teen blog likes Rick Astley videos, as does the WCL teen facebook page.

Upcoming additions: new fiction

Hello! Revisionings of Jane Eyre and The Phantom of the Opera, a 1920s series from the author of The Luxe, a new book from style doyenne Lauren Conrad, another winning collaboration from David Levithan and Rachel Cohn (as in the writers of Nick and Norah): just some of the titles we’ve just ordered for the young adult fiction collection.

Behemoth, Scott Westerfeld – the next book in the series where the clankers and their mechs are pitted against the Darwinists and their beasties, with Alek and Deryn stuck in the middle. If you haven’t already, read Leviathan first, which is where it all starts. They’ve also got cool illustrations by Keith Thompson.

Revolution, Jennifer Donnelly – from the author of A Gathering Light, which we rather like. The intertwining stories of two girls, one in present day Brooklyn (New York) and the other in revolutionary Paris. Here’s a book trailer (where the author talks about the inspiration for the story):

 

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares, David Levithan and Rachel Cohn – Lily writes a book of dares designed to entice exactly the right guy for her and leaves it in a beguiling place (a shelf in her favourite bookshop). Dash finds it and is intrigued and game, but is he indeed exactly the right guy?

Jane, April Lindner –  yay, a modern retelling of Jane Eyre, where Jane is a nanny for Nico Rathburn (actually his kids, not him), a rock star on his way back to greatness. Since it’s Jane Eyre-ish there will no doubt also be creeping mysteriousness and (I hope!) a mad woman in the attic (I will be a little disappointed if not). Also, Nico better make a good Mr Rochester.

Bright Young Things, Anna Godbersen – Luxe fans (and Gossip Girl fans)! Look here! The gorgeous elite of Manhattan in the 1920s, intrigue among the flappers, with a focus on three girls in particular: Letty and Cordelia (new to the big city) and Astrid. Anna Godbersen also helpfully has put together a playlist (it’s here – mind the html).

Jumbee, Pamela Keyes – one of those books that just sounds intriguing when you summarise: the Phantom of the Opera in the Caribbean! Esti and her mother move to a Caribbean island after the death of her father, a famous Shakespearean actor, where a spectral, mysterious friend (Alan) helps her unlock her thespian potential.

Sugar and Spice, Lauren Conrad – more from L A Candy land.

The Duff, Kody Keplinger – DUFF is the Designated Ugly Fat Friend, sadly. The story of Bianca, a seventeen year old nicknamed Duffy with a razor sharp wit and beautiful friends, who (I think) decides to even things up a bit. Don’t want to spoil things too much. Good for older teens. This is also available as a downloadable audiobook.

Swoon, Nina Malkin – a paranormal romance set in Swoon, Connecticut, with ghosts and demons, bad boys and lurve.

The Clockwork Angel Book Trailer

Today is the official publication date for The Clockwork Angel, the first in the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare (author of the Mortal Instruments series), and here is the official book trailer:

book cover courtesy of AmazonI wonder about book trailers and whether they’re a good idea – do you want to see what the characters and landscapes look like in a book trailer before reading? Hm. Anyway, the library copies will be ready for borrowing soon (they need library-proofing and cataloguing and whatnot first). If you haven’t reserved it yet and you’re interested in reading it you can do it now!

What the buyers are buying: some realistic fiction

And also a book for fashion lovers. We’ve recently ordered the following selection of non-supernatural romance titles:

Teen Vogue Handbook “an insider’s guide to careers in fashion” – have a look at the book preview here.

How I Made it to Eighteen by Tracy White, which is a graphic novel about coping with depression – here’s the author’s page dedicated to the book.

Some other (pretty serious) fiction:

Behind You and From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun both by Jacqueline Woodson.  Behind You is the sequel to If You Come Softly: 15 year old Miah has died, and his girlfriend, best friend, and parents are coming to terms. Melanin Sun is a 14 year old whose mother drops a bombshell: she’s in love with a woman.

Tweaked by Katherine Holubitsky. Gord’s brother is a drug addict whose troubles are destroying their family.

I know It’s Over by C.K. Martin. Sixteen-year-old Nick comes to terms with the idea of being a father when his temporarily-estranged girlfriend announces she is pregnant.

Juggling Fire by Joanne Bell. Rachel’s father disappears in the Yukon wilderness (Northern Canada), so she confronts danger (there be bears in Canada!) and loneliness as she hikes, trying to find clues as to what happened.

Other by Karen Kincy. Okay, we told an untruth: one supernatural romance (although possibly more supernatural thriller, maybe?). Stephanie says: “she can change into a bird!”

Much Wanted Sequels in 2010

Have you read and loved Fallen, Hush Hush or Beautiful Creatures? If  yes, then you’ll be interested to know that you can now reserve their sequels! Be first(ish) in the queue and reserve them now(ish).

On the subject of book covers that look alike: both Torment and Crescendo look, well, tormented and stormy. Maybe dark grey is the new black as far as supernatural romances are concerned?

  1. Torment, Lauren Kate – October. The sequel to the horrendously popular Fallen. Fallen reminded me of Beautiful Creatures (see below), and Evernight (by Claudia Gray). Luce is in hiding at Shoreline, a school for “unusually gifted” kids; Daniel is hunting outcasts who want to hurt her (Luce), and he’s hiding things (because that’s what mysterious supernatural types do).
  2. Crescendo, Becca Fitzpatrick – October. The follow up to Hush Hush. Now Nora is coming to terms with being a Nephilim, and having a guardian angel (the most dodgy guardian angel in the world, in Patch), and the fact that she’s in constant danger.
  3. Beautiful Darkness, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – October. The next after Beautiful Creatures. Ethan sees strange visions, Lena is behaving secretively after a tragic loss and there are more supernatural happenings in the Deep South (and, hopefully, grits).

Also availabe for reserving: Linger, by Maggie Stiefvater (sequel to Shiver).

Dear Carrie’s Diary

Book CoverThe Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell is the prequel to the popular and trend-setting Sex and the City, which inspired the ridiculously popular TV series of the same name. The Carrie Diaries follows Carrie Bradshaw in her senior year in high school, so you get an idea of how Carrie became Carrie, how she got to love writing and (maybe) expensive shoes etc. All this with 1980s American culture as a backdrop – the hair, the clothes, the eyeshadow, the music.

The Final Chapter of The Hunger Games: Reserve it now!

Mockingjay, the final book in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, is now ready to reserve! Do it now, because there may well be a queue come September when it’s finally released.

What’s going to happen? There’s Peeta to be rescued from President Snow and his cronies, District 12 to be found, the Capitol to be overthrown (hopefully), and Katniss to be enlightened as to what on earth is actually going on: is she really just a pawn, or the heartbeat of a revolution? Should be good.

Upcoming Books Part 2

Recently on the teen blog we highlighted some of the upcoming new books you can expect to see this year. I said I’d be back with catalogue links so that you could place some reserves for your favourites, and, diligently (and hopefully correctly) I’ve put them into the post now. So you can reserve away. More will be ordered in due course.

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