Book News

Several exciting things have been happening recently in the young adult book world. Today, I'm sharing the things I'm most excited about.

First up, the news about Dangerous Girls, by Abigail Haas, being optioned as a movie. Abby McDonald, the author, (Abigail Haas is a pseudonym) Tweeted about it in May.

DANGEROUS GIRLS is out in paperback, hurrah! And it's been optioned for a movie and I'm writing the script, double hurrah!
— Abby McDonald (@abbymcdonald) May 5, 2014

Just because the book has been optioned as a movie doesn't mean it will actually be made into a movie, but I'm hoping that in this case, it'll make it to the big screen, since it's one of my all-time favorite books.

Love Letters to the Dead, by Ava Dellaira, has also been optioned as a movie, with Dellaira set to write the screenplay. Ava Dellaira is from Albuquerque, and Love Letters to the Dead takes place in Albuquerque, so I'm hoping this means that if filming starts, it'll be filmed in Albuquerque.

Delirium, by Lauren Oliver, has been picked up by WIGS and Hulu as a TV series. The book was originally developed as a TV show for Fox, but the network passed on the series. WIGS and Hulu have picked up the show only for a month, starting on June 20.

The cover for Dangerous Boys, the companion to Dangerous Girls, has been revealed.

Three teens venture into the abandoned Monroe estate one night; hours later, only two emerge from the burning wreckage. Chloe drags one Reznick brother to safety, unconscious and bleeding; the other is left to burn, dead in the fire. But which brother survives? And is his death a tragic accident? Desperate self-defense? Or murder? Chloe is the only one with the answers. As the fire rages, and police and parents demand the truth, she struggles to piece together the story of how they got there-a story of jealousy, twisted passion, and the darkness that lurks behind even the most beautiful of faces…

There isn't a U.S. release date for Dangerous Boys yet, but it comes out in the U.K. this August. 

(Image and summary courtesy of Goodreads.)

The cover of Ensnared, the final book in A.G. Howard's Splintered trilogy was also revealed.

After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She’s determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles... and even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world—a parallel dimension filled with mutated and sadistic netherling outcasts. In the final installment of the Splintered trilogy, Alyssa and her dad journey into the heart of magic and mayhem in search of her mom and to set right all that’s gone wrong. Together with Jeb and Morpheus, they must salvage Wonderland from the decay and destruction that has ensnared it. But even if everyone succeeds and comes out alive, can they all truly have their happily ever after?

(Image and summary courtesy of Goodreads.)

The last thing isn't about a young adult book, but it is about a Stephen King book. I recently heard that the movie IT was going to be remade; the Internet Movie Database lists the remake as being in development. There's no word yet on when the movie might be released, but I'm still excited to see how it will compare to the original movie.

Is there anything happening in the book world that you're excited about? Tell us about it in the comments!



New & Novel: Books for Little Abecedarians

\ ey-bee-see-DAIR-ee-uhn \  , noun;  

1. a person who is learning the letters of the alphabet.

2. a beginner in any field of learning.

Alphabet books for beginning readers generally present the letters of the alphabet alongside words beginning with the same letter - think "A is for apple". According to Wikipedia, this tradition dates back to the hornbooks of Shakespeare's day and is considered to be one of the oldest genres in American literature. Alphabet books can be very straightforward - again, "A is for apple" - or have more creative formats, such as poems that use many words that begin with the same letter or stories told alphabetically, such as the Apple Pie ABC. Nowadays, there are even alphabet apps!

Besides introducing beginning readers to the alphabet, alphabet books also function to teach phonics, build vocabulary, introduce sequencing, help readers begin to recognize point of view, and more.

Here's a list of some fun ABC items for kids you can find in the ABC Library catalog:


Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC by Lisa Falkenstern

The ABC of Fabulous Princesses by Willy Puchner

123 Versus ABC by Mike Boldt

ABC Zooborns by Andrew Bleiman and Chris Eastland

Sign Language ABC by Lora Helle

V is For Vegan: The ABCs of Being Kind by Ruby Roth

An ABC of Pirates by Caroline Stills

El alfabeto de Dios by Sue Cochran [Spanish language]

ABeCedarios: Mexican Folk Art ABCs in English and Spanish by Cynthia Weill and K.B. Basseches ; wood sculptures from Oaxaca by Moisés and Armando Jiménez [Spanish language]
 
ABC x 3: English, Español, Français by Marthe Jocelyn and Tom Slaughter

Journey Around Chicago from A to Z by Martha Day Zschock

Museum ABC produced by the Dept. of Special Publications, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

For the Love of the Packers: An A-to-Z Primer for Packers Fans of All Ages by Frederick C. Klein [eBook]

Vietnam ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Vietnam by Theresa Alberti

123s and ABCs by Ella Jenkins [music CD]

I Love My ABC's: Animals  [DVD]


For more ABCs, try a subject search of "Alphabet books".

If you are interested in more adult abecedarian titles such as The ABCs of Bridge or The ABCs of Handwriting Analysis, try this search like this.

Clean, Organize, Simplify!

Oh, hey there and hello! If you're here it means that you've got a cleaning disaster on your hands.  Or maybe it means that you've decided it's high time to learn how to keep your bedroom looking like it belongs to an adult, not a fourteen-year-old with a burning desire to assert your independence and irritate your mom with the power of stacks and stacks of clothes piled all about the place.
~Jolie Kerr

We picked up a copy of Jolie Kerr's new housekeeping book and can't put it down! Kerr writes a column online called "Ask a Clean Person", in which no question is too grotty - from how to "divide chores so you don't kill each other" to how to "clean, preserve, and/or salvage your wedding dress" (visit her Tumblr to ask her your own question!).  Her book, though humorous, got us thinking about all sorts of housekeeping, so we compiled this list of some helpful guides from the library catalog.  We've tried to cover all the bases - get organized, simplify, household tips for men, tips from Jane Austen, for your studio, even weekend makeovers. Whether you have a specific question to answer or are just looking for helpful tips, we hope we've provided something to meet your needs!


My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag - And Other Things You Can't Ask Martha by Jolie Kerr

Living Simple, Free & Happy: How to Simplify, Declutter Your Home and Reduce Stress, Debt, and Waste by Cristin Frank [eBook]

Secrets of An Organized Mom: From the Overflowing Closets to the Chaotic Play Areas - A Room-By-Room Guide to Decluttering and Streamlining Your Home for a Happier Family by Barbara Reich

Clutter-Free Home Living: The How-To Guide by Eugenia Orr [eBook]

Clutter Rehab: Tips and Tricks to Become an Organization Junkie and Love It! by Laura Wittmann [eBook]

How to Be Comfy: Brilliant Ways to Make Your House a Home by Shannon Lush & Jennifer Fleming [eBook]

How to Get Things Really Flat: Enlightenment For Every Man on Ironing, Vacuuming and Other Household Arts by Andrew Martin

A Broom of One's Own: Words on Writing, Housecleaning, and Life by Nancy Peacock

Adopting the Minimalist Lifestyle by Ariel Horowitz

The Weekend Makeover: Get a Brand New Life By Monday Morning by Jill Martin & Dana Ravich

The Organized Kitchen: Keep Your Kitchen Clean, Organized, and Full of Good Food - And Save Time, Money, (And Your Sanity) Every Day! by Brette Sember [eBook]

Inside the Creative Studio: Inspiration and Ideas For Your Art and Craft Space by Cate Coulacos Prato

Jane Austen's Guide to Thrift: An Independent Woman's Advice On Living Within One's Means by Kathleen Anderson and Susan Jones

Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life By Reducing Your Waste by Bea Johnson
   

Find more titles with subject searches!  Helpful subjects are Orderliness, House cleaning, Home economics, Storage in the home, Organization.

WWKIP

Knitting?  Don't only grandmothers do that?

Knitting is often thought of as a solitary activity, and can be.  However, just because it isn't visible it doesn't mean the craft has died.  Knitters worldwide have chosen the second Saturday in June to come out of their houses and yarn stores and bring visibility to their hobby.

This year June 14 marks WWKIP- or World Wide Knit In Public Day.  Started in 2005, has grown over the past nine years and this year there are 307 official events in 32 countries, including 113 in the U.S. alone.  Many other groups meet informally, spreading the fiber awareness in bookstores, coffee shops and brew pubs.

If you can't make it but want to learn or join a knit night, nearby yarn stores that have classes are Village Wools and The Yarn Store at Nob Hill.   UNM also offers beginning knitting classes as part of its continuing ed.  If books are more your style, there are 600+ in the catalog, including many good for beginners.  There's an entire YouTube channel devoted to Knitting Help! And, last but not least, don't forget to check our Fiber Arts LibGuide for library drop-in stitching clubs and more.

If you're a pro and can YO, K2Tog, fair-isle, intarsia and steek with the best of them, come and join us at Cherry Hills, Saturday, June 14 from 1 - 3 p.m..  If you're a newbie or just want to try, you're welcome too.  The members of our stitch group will be on hand, demonstrating techniques and offering tips.  We hope you enjoy this day and event.

New & Novel: Soccer Books - ¡Olé, Olé, Olé!

The World Cup starts tomorrow! Perhaps, if you haven't starting warming up yet for this month-long soccer extravaganza, you'd like to start now by reading some background material?  Here's some reading recommended for soccer fans, or for people who want to understand soccer fans:

For Kids

Zlatan by Illugi Jökulsson (see also Messi by the same author)

My First Soccer Book by Clive Gifford

Betty Bunny Wants a Goal by Michael B. Kaplan

Maisy Plays Soccer by Lucy Cousins

Saving the Team by Alex Morgan

For Young Adults

Keeper by Mal Peet

Now Is the Time For Running by Michael Williams

Soccer: The Ultimate Guide by Martin Cloake ... [et al.]   

For Adults

More Than a Team A Father, a Son, and Barça by Vicenç Villatoro

The Numbers Game: Why Everything You Know About Soccer is Wrong by Chris Anderson and David Sally

Soccer in Sun and Shadow by Eduardo Galeano


Spanish Language

Porque el fútbol importa by Pelé; con Brian Winter

Goles: imágenes y testimonios de los momentos más felices de nuestra vida by Luis Villarejo


eBooks

History of the World Cup, 1930-2010 by Clemente A. Lisi

Africa United: Soccer, Passion, Politics, and the First World Cup in Africa by Steve Bloomfield

Chasing the Game: America and the Quest for the World Cup by Filip Bondy

The World Cup: A Very Peculiar History - With NO Added Time by David Arscott
Soccer Empire: The World Cup and the Future of France by Laurent Dubois

Mad For It: Short Stories on Football's Greatest Rivalries: Part 1, Manchester Utd. v. Liverpool - Seeing Red by Andy Mitten
This Love is Not For Cowards: Salvation and Soccer in Ciudad Juárez by Robert Andrew Powell  
La Roja: How Soccer Conquered Spain and How Spanish Soccer Conquered the World by Jimmy Burns

Attacking Soccer: Mastering the Modern Game by Peter Schreiner & Norbert Elgert


Also, did you know that Albuquerque now has a minor league soccer team in the Premier Developmental League (PDL) of the United Soccer League? Visit the website for Albuquerque Sol F.C. for more information!

      

Young Adult Fiction and Adults

On June 5, an opinion piece was published on Slate's website, in which the author stated that adults who read young adult literature should be ashamed to do so. This article resulted in a Twitter campaign called #PromoteaYAinstead. Started by Lauren DeStefano, author of the popular young adult trilogy The Chemical Garden (which includes the books Wither, Fever, and Sever), the campaign has taken off; it was one of the top trending hashtags on Twitter in the United States:

GUYS LOOK. Thank you for making #PromoteaYAInstead a thing! Look at the power book love has over negative energy. pic.twitter.com/pzdfrjXqRt
— Lauren DeStefano (@LaurenDeStefano) June 5, 2014

Authors and readers have all been participating, sharing their favorite young adults books and why they aren't ashamed to read young adult fiction. Here is what some people have said.

#PromoteaYAInstead because I can love so much amazing #YA and also read amazing "adult" literature. pic.twitter.com/bCf1ex5ABx
— Michelle Runyan (@michelru) June 6, 2014

#YALit addresses so many issues in the world and does it in a relatable way for people of all ages. Lit is timeless! #promoteaYAinstead
— Morgan Olson (@munchie_11_) June 6, 2014

I read YA, my mom reads YA, my grandma reads YA. We are not "embarrassed." We are 3 generations of satisfied readers. #PromoteaYAInstead
— Markelle Grabo (@MarkelleGrabo) June 6, 2014

ABC Library staff also love reading young adult and middle grade fiction. I asked some of my colleagues why, and what books they would recommend. Here's what they said.

"Reading anything is an integral part of becoming a well-balanced individual. As a well-balanced individual myself, I enjoy a diverse range of literature, not limited to 'adult' books. While my reading repertoire includes the mature works of Dickens and Hawthorne, I'm by no means 'embarrassed' to have a YA book in hand at any given time. . . . I believe that any book can change your life, if you aren't ashamed to pick it up. I love exploring children's literature, because more often than not, they grab me emotionally and resonate with my own life experiences, more so than most 'adult' books. They are not all innocence and laughs, and my greatest enjoyment of reading comes from digging under the silliness and discovering the wisdom in the pages. I would easily read. . .Wonder by R.J. Palacio and Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman, over and over again!"

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman

"Because I can! But aside from that it's about simplicity. When you read a YA novel, you can expect it to be something you can move quickly through. You can enjoy the journey without getting hung up on things like lengthy scenarios or words that somebody scoured the thesaurus for. Life is full of things to do. Between work and school and kids, you don't always have time to devote to a tome. We want something fast and satisfying. I think one of the biggest points to be made in this discussion is Harry Potter, which tons of adults have read and are fans of the series. None of them seem to be embarrassed. It's due in large part to the fact that it is a fantastic journey and you watch the characters change and develop and the journey is nothing short of magical. And in that respect it is about Growth. It's about Change. It's about 'watching' a character fall in love for the first time, or catch their first dragon or discover the essence of who they are. Making friends and losing friends. The list goes on and on. It's about the lessons that the characters learn and the reminders that those lessons give us. I read picture books for those same life lessons and reminders."

If you're an adult and you read young adult and children's literature, don't be ashamed. Celebrate your interests and reading habits instead!

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars was released in theaters yesterday, and I'm really excited about it. I doubt I'm the only one; two years ago, when John Green was in Albuquerque for the book release, I went to the event, figuring I'd hear a reading from the book, followed by a question-and-answer session and book signing. Instead, John Green read an excerpt, and he and his brothers played music and performed skits, followed by a book signing. I wasn't expecting the event to be what it was, but what really surprised me was how many people attended the event. Hundreds of teens were there, and they weren't just passively sitting in the seats watching. They were singing along with John and Hank, dancing the aisles, and taking pictures.

Now that the movie out, I've decided to re-read The Fault in Our Stars, and I'm loving it the second time around just as much as I loved it the first time. I've also decided to a do a library program celebrating the movie release, and in preparation, I've stumbled across a lot of amazing fan art. The fan art includes sketches of Hazel and Augustus, the book's two main characters, but much of the fan art is also based on quotes from the book--and this is a book that has a lot of great quotes. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book, in fan art form. All images are from The Fault in Our Stars Wikia.

"Some infinities are bigger than other infinities."

"My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations."

"You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful."

"Okay? Okay."