OK, if you have money to burn, these book clutches from Kate Spade are pretty cute.  But if not, why not simply clutch a book instead?  We’ve got Great Expectations, The Importance of Being Earnest, and even some new fabulous covers to complement your outfit.  Some of my personal favorites are Shanghai Girls and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.  Sure, you can’t keep your lipstick in them, but they are a bit more useful when you are stuck on the bus (and quite a bit cheaper).

So I just finished two weeks of grand jury duty where I spent my workdays sitting in a room with 22 other people hearing mutliple cases and voting on whether to indict the defendants. A case would come, we’d vote, and then we’d wait for another. Sometimes the wait time was 20 minutes and sometimes it was two hours. This means I had a lot of time to read so of course I flew through some wonderful books!

I started by finishing the last few chapters of Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. Out in October from Random House Children’s this engrossing historical read combines the story of a troubled teen growing up in contemporary Brooklyn with that of a rebellious young woman living during the French Reniassance.

Next came Dracula in Love, a staff favorite and an alternate take on Bram Stoker’s classic from the point of view of his love interest, Mina Murray. It has been heralded as Twilight for grown-ups and I agree!

After Dracula I tried a non-Random House title, Matched, which is the newest in dystopian YA fiction and would definitely appeal to fans of The Hunger Games.

From there I did a little more cheating and buried my nose in two titles I’d been told to read for a while now: The Shadow of the Wind and The Help. Both were excellent reads.

Now it is back to the grind and while I find I very much enjoyed all my reading time, I’m glad to be back amongst my wonderful colleagues. What have you all been reading lately?

-Marie

Over the weekend I was chatting with a friend about a favorite Random House Children’s YA book of mine, The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. Around this time last year, I blogged about the latest in the series, The Dead-Tossed Waves and how much I loved it so I recommended it to my friend who, like me, loved Hands and Teeth.

When I got home I had this link in my e-mail inbox. Guess who is rumored to be assuming the lead role? None other than Bella herself – Twilight movie alum Kristen Stewart. If this is true, she will certainly have established herself as the undead genre heroine of choice. I’m not so sure about this casting. What do you think?

If you have not yet read Carrie Ryan’s series, make sure you check it out!

-Marie

Well, this is one opinion, I guess.  

The New York Times ran a story today soothsaying its own demise. Well, this, along with the demise of books and basically all vessels of intellectual authority. Its author? The one and only Garrison Keillor. While you may disagree with its premise, the article is still very well written and engaging. NYT

Most who know me know I love dogs. But few know the name I’m considering for my future dog. He will be big and oaf-like, a bull in a china closet, mischevious with a heart of gold. And he will be named Huck Finn. Blame the book nerd in me.

So it seems only fitting that I add the new book by the same name to my ever-expanding reading list. In the same vein as Marley or Dewey, Huck is the story of what happens to a community when a boy’s beloved pooch is lost. Never under estimate the power of a dog to galvanize a handful of would-be strangers.

Huck hits shelves in September. Be sure to add it to your list. And while we’re on the subject, does anyone have a Huck or a Marley? What are your pets’ names? Or, if you’re like me, future pet names?

-Marie

I could’ve used “Archive II” (above) when I moved a couple years ago…

Check out the cool libro-centric art exhibit by David Garcia in this article from Limite magazine. The exhibit investigates “space and books and the traditional relationships that humans have to books.”

Dear Oh-So-Helpful Librarians!

First of all, thank you so much for all of your great suggestions. I’d never heard of many of the books and they certainly gave me food for thought. I’m sure you have all been unable to sleep and on the edge of your seats waiting to find out which book I ended up picking up. Turns out I found a recent Random House release on my shelf that sparked my fancy, though I am almost certain a blog suggestion will be next on the list. That book is… drumroll please…

The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran. Based on newspaper article, it is the story of a British family that has relocated to New Zealand where,  mother, Margaret, and the four children are kidnapped by native Maori. Presuming them all lost for good, father, Henry, picks up the pieces and moves to Berkeley, California (home of my alma mater!) where he meets and marries a young widowed mother, Nancy. Then Margaret and the children surface and turn up on the new couple’s doorstep…

I must say I’m really liking this one so far. It is a quick, engrossing read and I’m fascinated by the link to true events.  I received many suggestions via comments on the blog post and on Facebook. This is proof positive of what I have long believed to be true: who better to turn to when you don’t know what to read next than a librarian?

Check out my letter to see what was suggested. You may also find the post here on Facebook! Feel free to add to the growing list! One can never get enough good book recommendations, right?

Many thanks again,

Marie

PS – Want to enter to win a FREE finished copy of The Wives of Henry Oades? Simply sign up for our book group e-newsletter and watch your inbox over the next few days!

How’s this for a fun Friday time waster game?

Think of a number and then click here and play along.

It guessed my number correctly! I’m a sucker for this kind of stuff.

While you’re at it read more about the book, Think of a Number by John Verdon (out in July).

-Marie

Dear Wonderfully Knowledgable Librarian,

Today I come to you with open ears (well, eyes) and an open heart. I have a problem and am in need of your help.

I. am in. a reading. rut.

Tragic, I know.

The books I’ve picked up the last couple of nights just aren’t doing it for me and I’m kind-of, sort-of know what I’m in the mood for but nothing I grab off the shelves satisfies me. Don’t you hate that? So I figured I would lean on you, my one-stop circulation specialist shop, to see what you recommend I delve into next.

Last week I was reading something fairly modern with a mystery twist to it. And it lost me. For now anyway. I want something rooted a bit more in history but not too historical fiction-y (Read – no Tudors, princesses, or queens right now. I love them but they can wait.) Perhaps I want a contemporary classic? I do love coming-of-age stories. Or since we are flirting with Spring here in New York City, maybe I’m in the mood for something light and airy but not too fluffy? It is hard to say.

So, please give me the best you got and I promise I will take all your wonderful suggestions to heart. Also, if you are in the same boat I am, unburden your heart and perhaps someone can throw you a line.

Thanks in advance!

-Marie

PS – Don’t worry about crossing publisher lines. We have been known to cheat a little here. I won’t tell if you won’t!

Image credit

Do you Read it Forward?

If not, you should. Read it Forward is the monthly book group focused e-newsletter produced by our friends up in the Crown Publishing Group. In this month’s newsletter is a wonderfully original feature on the “editor-model hybrid.” Yes, you read right. And I thought meeting authors and going to ALA were a cool job perks. Click here to find out how an editor landed on a book cover! 

Visit the Read It Forward website for more fun stuff and to subscribe to the e-newsletter.

Oh, and sign up for our Library and Book Group e-newsletters while you’re at it.

Happy Friday, everyone!

-Marie