Great Reads @ RHS Library

Welcome to ...

2009-08-02T10:25:00.001-05:00

Find out about great reads, review book reviews or post your own!
For those who love to read and need that next great book or for those who stare aimlessly at the book stacks not sure where to start - this blog is for you!

To the right are lists of books by category. Make sure to check back often as new lists and books will be added.

Recent Reads

2009-08-02T08:56:00.002-05:00

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
In the conclusion of the "Twilight Series," Bella achieves her wishes: marriage, sex, and becoming a vampire. But Meyer definitely adds a twist that no one expected (sorry you have to read to find out). And it wouldn't be a great book without a little adventure and someone trying to, yet again, kill Bella. While I enjoyed this book, I found the first three far more intriguing. But regardless, I do love reading about Bella and Edward and so will you. (FIC MEYER)

The Host by Stephenie Meyers
It's attach of the body snatchers where you actually like the body snatchers!
In this SF thriller, planet-hopping parasites are inserting their silvery centipede selves into human brains, curing cancer, eliminating war and turning Earth into paradise. When Melanie Stryder is invaded by an alien, she refuses to relinquish control or give up on finding the man she loves. In true Meyer fashion, this is a wonderful adventure story with lots of romantic intrigue. (FIC MEYER)

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Listening to the audio cassettes found propped against his front door, Clay is shocked to hear the voice of Hannah, who killed herself two weeks earlier. On the tapes, Hannah explains why she committed suicide and how the thirteen people named in the tapes contributed to her decision to end her life. Clay learns that he is among those named. (FIC ASHER)

Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Tessa has just months to live. Fighting back against hospital visits, endless tests, drugs with excruciating side-effects, Tessa compiles a list. It's her "To Do Before I Die list," which includes sex, drugs, breaking the law, driving, bringing her parents back together, and fame. A story that will make you laugh and cry at the same time - it's well worth the tears! (FIC DOWNHAM)

Fantasy

2009-08-01T14:40:00.000-05:00

Ok, I'll admit it ... I am a closet Fantasy reader. I love anything with magic, witches, and supernatural forces. In fact, I love a book that has all three and even though a fantasy book might sound strange, just go with and see where it takes you. I personally love Sci-Fi and Fantasy novels. I live reality everyday so it's great to try out something new!

Guy Reads: Great Books for Boys

2009-08-01T14:00:00.000-05:00

When you come to the library, do you feel there are no books for guys? Are you overwhelmed by the vibrant and often glittery 'girl' books? Well have no fear because 'Guy Reads" is here! Below are great reads for guys who need a little more testosterone in their books.

Sci-Fi

2009-08-01T13:25:00.000-05:00

Sci-Fi is not just for Trekkies. It's for those who like alternate realities, time travel, radical technology and amazing (ok, and sometimes bleak) futures. I personally love Sci-Fi and Fantasy novels. I live reality everyday so it's great to try out something new! For those looking to enter an alternate universe, then explore the books below.

Laugh Out Loud Reads

2009-08-01T11:00:00.000-05:00

A lot of young adult books are all doom and gloom and, while I enjoy the darker side of literature, a good laugh is always needed. From slap-stick humor, to body humor, to outrageous events and hilarious mishaps, these books are sure to make you laugh out loud!

Tear-Jerkers

2009-08-01T09:44:00.000-05:00

Ok, I'll admit it ... sometimes I like to curl up with a good book and a box of Kleenex. For those who like the melodramatic and a good cry, read the books listed below. They are sure to get the tears flowing.

Quick Picks

2009-08-01T09:40:00.001-05:00

These are just plain old fantastic books, especially for those who think they don't like to read!

Rock-n-Roll Reads

2009-08-01T09:39:00.000-05:00

Below are a collection of books that deal with everything rock-n-roll. From band geeks to rock gods, from playing in a garage band to making it in the big times. "For those about to rock ... We Salute You!"

Wow ... That Really Happened?

2008-12-02T13:52:00.000-06:00

Sometimes real life is stranger then fiction. These books describe unbelievable events (You just can't make this stuff up!). For those who like the truth and nothing but the truth ... then read about these astonishing stories. Yep, believe it ... these actually happened!

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Er

2008-12-01T10:33:00.001-06:00

A compelling account of the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 which brings together the divergent stories of two very different men who played a key role in shaping the history of the event--visionary architect Daniel H. Burnham, who coordinated its construction, and Dr. Henry H. Holmes, an insatiable and charming serial killer who lured women to their deaths. (977.311 LAR )

Tweak: Growing up on Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff

2008-12-01T10:31:00.001-06:00

The author details his immersion in a world of hardcore drugs, revealing the mental and physical depths of addiction, and the violent relapse one summer in California that forever changed his life, leading him down the road to recovery. (921 SHEFF)

The Year We Disappeared by Cylin & John Busby

2008-12-01T10:30:00.001-06:00

With their lives unraveling around them, the Busby family left everything and everyone they had ever known--and simply disappeared. As told by both father and daughter, this is a harrowing true story of a family, a brutal shooting, and the year that would change their lives forever. (363.2092 BUSBY)

Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

2008-12-01T10:27:00.005-06:00

Return once again to the enduring account of life in the Mojo lane, to the Permian Panthers of Odessa--the winningest high school football team in Texas history. Odessa is not known to be a town big on dreams, but the Panthers help keep the hopes and dreams of this small, dusty town going. Socially and racially divided, its fragile economy follows the treacherous boom-bust path of the oil business. In bad times, the unemployment rate barrels out of control; in good times, its murder rate skyrockets. But every Friday night from September to December, when the Permian High School Panthers play football, this West Texas town becomes a place where dreams can come true. (796.332 BISSINGER)

Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich

2008-12-01T10:23:00.000-06:00

The inside story of how 6 MIT students took vegas for millions. (364.1 MEZRICH)

A Child Called “It” by David Pelzer

2008-12-01T10:20:00.003-06:00

It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother (921 PELZER)

sequel: The Lost Boy

Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood by Julie Gregory

2008-12-01T10:19:00.001-06:00

The author describes growing up as the victim of Munchausen by proxy, a form of child abuse in which her mother invented or caused a series of illnesses and ailments, and her struggle to escape her mother's problems to rebuild her life.(616.85 GREGORY)

Punk Rock Etiquette: Ultimate How-To-Guide by Travis Nichols

2008-12-01T10:18:00.001-06:00

Created by an indie-circuit veteran, this guide teaches aspiring musicians everything they need to know about creating an underground rock band--from how to pick bandmates to creating their own merchandise. (781.66 PUNK)

No Pretty Pictures: A Child of War by Anita Lobel

2008-12-01T10:17:00.002-06:00

The author, known as an illustrator of children's books, describes her experiences as a Polish Jew during World War II and for years in Sweden afterwards. (921 LOBEL.)

Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang

2008-12-01T10:14:00.001-06:00

The author tells about the happy life she led in China up until she was twelve-years-old when her family became a target of the Cultural Revolution, and discusses the choice she had to make between denouncing her father and breaking with her family, or refusing to speak against him and losing her future in the Communist Party. (921 JIANG)

War is … Soldiers, Survivors, and Storytellers Talk about War by Marc Aronson

2008-12-01T10:13:00.002-06:00

A dynamic selection of essays, memoirs, letters, and fiction about war written by those who experienced it first hand. (810.8 WAR)

If Not Now, When? Duty & Sacrifice in America's Time of Need by Jack Jacobs

2008-12-01T10:09:00.006-06:00

A Medal of Honor recipient looks back at his own service during the Vietnam War and ahead to America's future, as he tells his stirring story of heroism and honor and expounds his views on the nature and necessity of sacrifice. (355.0092 JACOBS)

Ghost Soldiers: The Forgotten Epic Story of World War II's Most Dramatic Mission by Hampton Sides

2008-12-01T10:04:00.002-06:00

on January 28, 1945, 121 hand-selected U.S. soldiers slipped behind enemy lines in the Philippines. Their mission: march thirty rugged miles to rescue 513 POWs, among them the last survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March. (940.5425 SIDES)

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich

2008-12-01T10:01:00.003-06:00

Funny, poignant, and passionate, this revelatory firsthand account of life in low-wage America--the story of Barbara Ehrenreich's attempts to eke out a living while working as a waitress, hotel maid, house cleaner, nursing-home aide, and Wal-Mart associate--has become an essential part of the nation's political discourse. (305.569 EHRENREICH)

Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eris Schlosser

2008-12-01T09:46:00.002-06:00

To a degree both engrossing and alarming, the story of fast food is the story of postwar America. Schlosser, a National Magazine Award-winning journalist, charts the fast food industry's enormous impact on our health, landscape, economy, politics and culture as he transforms the way America thinks about what it eats. (394.1 SCHLOSSER)

Hawk: Occupation Skateboarder by Tony Hawk

2008-12-01T09:45:00.001-06:00

Internationally known American skateboarding champ Tony Hawk chronicles his life and his very eventful involvement with the sport. (921 HAWK)

Needles by Andie Dominick

2008-12-01T09:42:00.004-06:00

In an intensely moving story of sisterhood, illness, and loss, this memoir tells of a girl whose older sister dies from complications of diabetes (921 DOMINICK)

My Losing Season by Pat Conroy

2008-12-01T09:38:00.003-06:00

Moving between the action of the Citadel's 1967 basketball season and flashbacks into his childhood, Conroy relates his love of basketball and how crucial the role of athlete is to young men who are struggling to find their own identity and place in the world. (921 CONROY)

Counting Coup:a true story of basketball and honor on the Little Big Horn by Larry Colton

2008-12-01T09:34:00.002-06:00

A brilliant account of a teenage Native American girl who fought for honor on and off the basketball courts (921 LAFORGE)

It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong

2008-12-01T09:29:00.004-06:00

World-class hero Lance Armstrong tells his inspiring story, from the dark night of advanced testicular cancer through his dramatic victory in the 1999 Tour de France.

(921 ARMSTRONG)

The Hot Zone by Richard Preston

2008-12-01T09:27:00.002-06:00

Tells the dramatic story of U.S. Army scientists and soldiers who worked to stop the outbreak of a deadly and extremely contagious virus in 1989. (614.57 PRESTON)

The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon

2008-12-01T09:25:00.001-06:00

The author recounts the year he spent in a burn unit following his suicide attempt at fourteen. He describes the painful treatments, skin-grafting procedures, rehabilitation, and psychotherapy.(921 RUNYON)

Last Chance in Texas by John Hubner

2008-12-01T09:24:00.002-06:00

A documentary about the Capital Offenders Group treatment program at Texas Giddings State School. The institution houses nearly 400 of the most violent juvenile offenders in a program designed to alter the life trajectory of its residents. (365 HUBNER)

The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise & Fulfill a Dream by Samson Davis

2008-12-01T09:22:00.001-06:00

Samson Davis discusses how he and two friends stuck together and supported one another as they overcame the many challenges they faced while growing up in New Jersey. (610.922 DAVIS)

Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos

2008-12-01T09:20:00.002-06:00

The author relates how, as a young adult, he became a drug user and smuggler, was arrested, did time in prison, and eventually got out and went to college, all the while hoping to become a writer. (921 GANTOS)

Who Killed My Daughter by Lois Duncan

2008-12-01T09:18:00.001-06:00

Story of popular young adult author Lois Duncan's search for the truth behind her eighteen year old daughter's brutal death. (921 DUNCAN)

King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography by Chris Crutcher

2008-12-01T09:16:00.003-06:00

Young adult author talks about growing up in Idaho and becoming a writer. (921 CRUTCHER)

Teen angst? Naaah by Ned Vizzini

2008-12-01T09:14:00.001-06:00

A collection of essays written by the author from age fifteen to seventeen in which he shares impressions of school, sports, cool people, boring people, friends, family, money, music, and obsessions. (921 VIZZINI)

Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston

2008-12-01T09:12:00.001-06:00

A mountaineer who survived a near-fatal accident by amputating his arm when it became trapped behind a boulder in Utah describes how he endured five days of hypothermia, dehydration, and hallucinations before managing his own rescue.(921 RALSTON)

Lady Q: The Rise & Fall of a Latin Queen by Reymundo Sanchez and Sonia Rodriguez

2008-12-01T09:10:00.002-06:00

This raw and powerful memoir is not only of one woman's struggle to survive the streets but also of her ascent to the top ranks of the new Mafia, where the only people more dangerous than rival gangs were members of her own. (921 SANCHEZ)

My Bloody Life: The Making of a Latin King by Reymundo Sanchez

2008-12-01T09:08:00.001-06:00

A former member of the Latin King gang describes his search as a young Latino for a place to call home. Sanchez discusses his abusive childhood and his escape to drugs, alcohol, and sex. He chronicles his life on the streets of Chicago and his entry into one of the largest street gangs in America. (921 SANCHEZ)

The Endurance:: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition by Caroline Alexander

2008-12-01T09:03:00.004-06:00

Provides an account of the Shackleton expedition of 1914, during which explorer Ernest Shackleton and his crew of twenty-seven set out to cross the Antarctic continent on foot, only to have their ship, Endurance, break up eighty-five miles short of their destination, leaving them stranded for close to two years. (910.4 ALEXANDER)

Adrift: 76 Days Lost at Sea by Steven Callahan

2008-12-01T08:58:00.001-06:00

When Callahan's small sloop sank west of the Canary Islands, he found himself adrift in the Atlantic in a five-foot raft, with only enough food and water for 18 days. For 76 days he drifted 1800 miles, the only man in history to survive more than a month alone at sea in an inflatable raft. (910.4 CALLAHAN)

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

2008-12-01T08:55:00.001-06:00

Admitting an interest that borders on obsession, Krakauer searches for the clues to the drives and desires that propelled 24-year-old Chris McCandless to leave civilization behind and head into the remote Alaskan wilderness. Four months later, McCandless's emaciated corpse was found at his campsite by a hunter. (921 MCCANDLESS)

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer

2008-12-01T08:51:00.003-06:00

The author relates his experience of climbing Mount Everest during its deadliest season and examines what it is about the mountain that makes people willingly subject themselves to such risk, hardship, and expense. (921 KRAKAUER)

The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger

2008-12-01T08:47:00.002-06:00

Uses interviews, memoirs, radio conversations, and technical research to recreate the last days of the crew of the "Andrea Gail," a fishing boat that was lost in a storm off the coast of Nova Scotia in October 1991. (904.5 JUNGER)

Educating Esme by Esme Cordell

2008-11-25T13:38:00.003-06:00

Read what it's like to be on the other side of the desk! This is the teacher Esme Raji Codell's first year in charge of a fifth-grade classroom in an inner-city public school. (921 CODELL)

Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders

2008-11-25T13:33:00.002-06:00

Prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial, Vincent Bugliosi held a unique insider's position in one of the most baffling and horrifying cases of the twentieth century: the cold-blooded Tate-LaBianca murders carried out by Charles Manson and four of his followers. What motivated Manson in his seemingly mindless selection of victims, and what was his hold over the young women who obeyed his orders? Here is the gripping story of this famous and haunting crime. (364.1523 BUGLIOSI)

The Great Fire by Jim Murphy

2008-11-25T13:23:00.003-06:00

Photographs and text, along with personal accounts of actual survivors tell the story of the great fire of 1871 in Chicago. (977.311 MURPHY)

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

2008-09-09T14:19:00.002-05:00

All 19 of Colin’s girlfriends have two things in common: 1.They’re all named Katherine. 2.They all dumped him. (FIC GREEN)

Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman

2008-09-09T14:09:00.003-05:00

A hot girl in the front seat. A body in the back. What could be better? Seventeen-year-old Vince's life is constantly complicated by the fact that he is the son of a powerful Mafia boss, a relationship that threatens to destroy his romance with the daughter of an FBI agent. (FIC KORMAN)

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison

2008-09-09T14:02:00.003-05:00

Read the humorous account Georgia Nicholson, a teenage British girl who tries to reduce the size of her nose, stop her mad cat from terrorizing the neighborhood animals, and win the love of handsome hunk Robbie. (FIC RENNISON)

King Dork by Frank Portman

2008-09-09T12:26:00.004-05:00

Tom Henderson is a typical American high school loser until he discovers his deceased father's copy of the Salinger classic. Soon Tom finds himself in the middle of several interlocking conspiracies and at least half a dozen mysteries involving dead people, naked people, fake people, ESP, blood, a secret code, guitars, monks, witchcraft, the Bible, girls, the Crusades, a devil head, and rock and roll. And it all looks like it's just the tip of a very odd iceberg of clues that may very well unravel the puzzle of his father's death and-oddly-reveal the secret to attracting semihot girls. Being in a band could possibly be the secret to the girl thing-but good luck finding a drummer who can count to four. (FIC PORTMAN)

Absolutely, Positively Not by David LaRochelle

2008-09-09T12:15:00.002-05:00

Steven is absolutely, positively not gay. No, really. Honest!
(FIC LAROCHELLE)

Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

2008-09-09T11:50:00.003-05:00

This is the story of a young witch-to-be named Tiffany who must journey through the terrifying and ever-shifting dreamscape of Fairyland to rescue her kidnapped brother. This book is a riot ... talking little blue people are always a good laugh!
(FIC PRATCHETT)

Other books in the series: Hat Full of Sky & The Wintersmith

The Teacher's Funeral by Richard Peck

2008-09-09T11:46:00.003-05:00

In 1904 Indiana, 15-year-old Russell Culver is raring to leave his small town. But he has a particularly eventful season of school ahead of him, when is teacher drops dead. (FIC PECK)

Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe

2008-09-09T11:42:00.001-05:00

With the glitz of Las Vegas and an entertaining cast of characters, this novel tells the story of 17-year-old Jasmine, who becomes tangled in the leash of a badly misbehaving pet cat and is tossed headlong into mystery, intrigue, and romance. (FIC JAFFE)

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

2008-09-09T09:38:00.001-05:00

Listening to the audio cassettes found propped against his front door, Clay is shocked to hear the voice of Hannah, who killed herself two weeks earlier. On the tapes, Hannah explains why she committed suicide and how the thirteen people named in the tapes contributed to her decision to end her life. Clay learns that he is among those named. (FIC ASHER)

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

2008-09-09T09:34:00.004-05:00

Tessa has just months to live. Fighting back against hospital visits, endless tests, drugs with excruciating side-effects, Tessa compiles a list. It's her "To Do Before I Die list," which includes sex, drugs, breaking the law, driving, bringing her parents back together, and fame. A story that will make you laugh and cry at the same time - it's well worth the tears! (FIC DOWNHAM)

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

2008-09-09T08:54:00.002-05:00

Recently dumped by his wealthy girlfriend, record store owner Rob Fleming finds himself in financial trouble and sets out on a pilgrimage to ask his former girlfriends where their relationships went wrong and to learn where his life went off track.

(FIC HORNBY)

48 Shades of Brown by Nick Earls

2008-09-09T08:50:00.002-05:00

Australian teenager Dan Bancroft has a choice to make: go to Geneva with his parents for a year, or move into a house with his bass-playing aunt Jacq and her friend Naomi. He chooses Jacq's place, and his life will never be the same.
(FIC EARLS)

All-American Girl by Meg Cabot

2008-09-09T08:46:00.002-05:00

Samantha Madison is heading for deep trouble. She's just saved the president of the United States from an assassination attempt, so the whole world thinks she's a hero, which Sam knows she's not. Now she's been appointed teen ambassador to the UN. And as if that's not enough -- the president's son just might be in love with her! (FIC CABOT)

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

2008-09-08T15:01:00.003-05:00

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

2008-09-07T14:50:00.001-05:00

It's attach of the body snatchers where you actually like the body snatchers!

In this SF thriller, planet-hopping parasites are inserting their silvery centipede selves into human brains, curing cancer, eliminating war and turning Earth into paradise. When Melanie Stryder is invaded by an alien, she refuses to relinquish control or give up on finding the man she loves. In true Meyer fashion, this is a wonderful adventure story with lots of romantic intrigue. (FIC MEYER)

Modern Faery Tales

2008-08-01T13:42:00.002-05:00

These are not your "Happily Ever" type of faerie tales. No Cinderella or Snow White here. Instead these are modern and edgy tales often set against an urban landscape with some very scary faeries, elves, or wizards. But have no fear, because modern faerie tales are sure to entice you into the world of magic, myth and legends. (Warning: do not read them before bed as scary faeries may cause nightmares!)

Books with a Bite

2008-08-01T11:59:00.000-05:00

Do you love dark creatures such as vampires or werewolves? For those with a little blood lust, then sink your teeth into these!

Murder, Mystery, or Mayhem

2008-08-01T11:07:00.001-05:00

Do you love suspense? When you watch movies or read books do you try to solve the mystery before anyone else? For our budding sleuths and for those who love thrillers ... these murder, mystery, or mayhem books are for you!

Video Game Books

2008-08-01T10:53:00.000-05:00

Do you enjoy playing video games? Do you enjoy battling elves, warriors, or aliens? How about dungeon games or space shooting games? While if you like to play then why not read about them too! Below is a list of books where winning the game isn't just about getting the highest score but is a life or death situation.

Football Books

2008-08-01T09:00:00.001-05:00

For all you jocks or crazed football fans, these football books meet your need for unnecessary roughness!

The Exes by Pagan Kennedy

2008-07-16T15:07:00.003-05:00

The Exes, an up-and-coming indie band, is made up of people who used to be lovers. Progressing from jam sessions in a basement to second-rate clubs to a cross-country tour that requires them to share seedy hotel rooms -- with their exes -- the four band members reveal their quirks, their problems, and their fantasies in alternating narratives. (FIC KENNEDY)

Guitar Girl by Sarra Manning

2008-07-16T15:01:00.002-05:00

Seventeen-year-old Molly Montgomery never planned on becoming famous. Molly's band, The Hormones, was just supposed to be about mucking around and having fun. But when the deliciously dangerous Dean and his friend T join the band, things start happening fast. Soon The Hormones are front-page news, and their debut album is rocketing up the charts. Molly is the force behind the band, but the hazards of fame, first love, screaming fans, and sleazy managers are forcing the newly crowned teen queen of grrl angst close to the edge. Fame never comes for free, and Molly's about to find out what it costs. (FIC MANNING)

Tribute to Another Dead Rock Star by Randy Powell

2008-07-16T14:55:00.001-05:00

15-year-old Grady returns to his hometown three years after the death of his mother, a famous hard-rocker, to speak at a concert performed in her memory. (FIC POWELL)

Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

2008-07-16T14:49:00.003-05:00

An Ohio teenager discovers he's part of an underground society of magical people living in hiding among the normal. What's more, he finds out he's one of the society's last warriors--and the feuding houses of the society are scouting for players for a magical tournament. (FIC CHIMA)

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

2008-07-16T14:39:00.004-05:00

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty--especially if they learn of her Sight--and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens. But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost--regardless of her plans or desires. (FIC MARR)

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

2008-07-16T14:30:00.003-05:00

Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life. The tattoo does bring changes--not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. (FIC MARR)

Tithe by Holly Black

2008-07-16T14:27:00.004-05:00

With a freewheeling rock musician for a mother and a band of faeries for her childhood friends, Kaye’s life has always been weird, but it becomes weirder – and more perilous – when she discovers that she herself is a pixie changling with a special destiny to fulfill. (FIC BLACK)

Ironside by Holly Black

2008-07-16T14:21:00.005-05:00

In this sequel to "Tithe," the time has come for Roiben's coronation. Uneasy in the midst of the malevolent Unseelie Court, Kaye is sure of only one thing -- her love for Roiben. But when Kaye, drunk on faerie wine, declares herself to Roiben, he sends her on a seemingly impossible quest. Now Kaye can't see or speak to Roiben unless she can find the one thing she knows doesn't exist: a faerie who can tell a lie. (FIC BLACK)

Valiant by Holly Black

2008-07-16T14:19:00.006-05:00

Seventeen-year-old Valerie Russell runs away from a problem at home only to discover greater trials on the streets of New York City in this gritty urban fantasy. While making deliveries of magical potions (which she and her new friends also use to shoot up), Val becomes entangled in a faerie murder mystery. (FIC BLACK)

The Faerie Path Series by Frewin Jones

2008-07-16T14:04:00.010-05:00

The Faerie Path
A magical story of love, bravery, and discovering one's destiny, this first novel in a magical new series for teens introduces Tania, the lost princess of Faerie, who is torn between two loves and two worlds. (FIC JONES)

The Lost Queen
Readers are taken back to Tania's magical world and she and Edric travel from Faerie to the Mortal Realm (London) to seek Queen Titania, lost hundreds of years ago while searching for Tania. (FIC JONES)

The Sorcerer King
Tania and Edric travel back to Faerie to discover their land has been invaded by the Sorcerer King--and only they can save both Faerie and the Mortal Realm. (FIC JONES)

Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer

2008-07-15T14:26:00.006-05:00

Twilgiht
Bella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear.

New Moon
The "star-crossed" lovers theme continues as Bella and Edward find themselves facing new obstacles, including a devastating separation, the mysterious appearance of dangerous wolves roaming the forest in Forks, a terrifying threat of revenge from a female vampire and a deliciously sinister encounter with Italy's reigning royal family of vampires, the Volturi.

Eclipse
As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella Swan once again finds herself surrounded by danger.

Breaking Dawn
In the conclusion of the "Twilight Series," Bella achieves her wishes: marriage, sex, and becoming a vampire. But Meyer definitely adds a twist that no one expected (sorry you have to read to find out). And it wouldn't be a great book without a little adventure and someone trying to, yet again, kill Bella. While I enjoyed this book, I found the first three far more intriguing. But regardless, I do love reading about Bella and Edward and so will you. (FIC MEYER)

Peeps Series by Scott Westerfeld

2008-07-15T14:22:00.005-05:00

Peeps
Cal Thompson is a carrier of a parasite that causes vampirism, and must hunt down all of the girlfriends he has unknowingly infected.

The Last Days
Set against the gritty apocalypse that began in "Peeps, The Last Days" tells of five teens who find themselves creating a soundtrack for the end of the world.

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klaus

2008-07-15T13:32:00.002-05:00

Sixteen-year-old Vivian is trying to fit in to her new home in the suburbs, which isn't easy since she and her family are werewolves. When she falls in love with a human, she must sort out her loyalties

Thirsty by M.T. Anderson

2008-07-15T13:30:00.002-05:00

From the moment he knows that he is destined to be a vampire, Chris thirsts for the blood of people around him while also struggling to remain human.

Vampire Kisses Series by Ellen Schreiber

2008-07-15T13:14:00.006-05:00

Vampire Kisses
Sixteen-year-old Raven, an outcast who always wears black and hopes to become a vampire some day, falls in love with the mysterious new boy in town, and is eager to find out if he can make her dreams come true.

Kissing Coffins
Sixteen-year-old Raven, an outcast who always wears black and hopes to become a vampire some day, falls in love with the mysterious new boy in town, eager to find out if he can make her dreams come true.

Vampireville For goth-girl Raven, dating her dream boyfriend is complicated, especially because Alexander's secret means that they can see each other only at night. And now the pair must be extra wary in the dark with Alexander's archrival, Jagger, appearing around town.

Dance with a Vampire
Theres a new vampire in town. His name is Valentine Maxwell and Raven knows this latest intruder can only mean trouble. But when her brother, Billy, befriends this dangerous night prowler, the stakes are suddenly higher.

Companions of the Night by Vivian Vande Velde

2008-07-15T13:12:00.001-05:00

Kerry's got a tough night ahead of her.
What begins as a simple lost-and-found trip to the Laundromat turns into a nightmarish odyssey of murder, vampires, and--quite possibly--true love.

The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klaus

2008-07-15T13:00:00.001-05:00

Zoe is wary when, in the dead of night, the beautiful yet frightening Simon comes to her house. Simon seems to understand the pain of loneliness and death and Zoe's brooding thoughts of her dying mother.

Simon is one of the undead, a vampire, seeking revenge for the gruesome death of his mother three hundred years before. Does Simon dare ask Zoe to help free him from this lifeless chase and its insufferable loneliness?

The Vampire Chronicles by Ann Rice

2008-07-15T12:48:00.005-05:00

Interview with the Vampire
In a remote room in a large city, a young reporter sits face-to-face with his most astonishing subject: a onetime New Orleans gentleman plantation owner who, in vividly terrifying and haunting detail, recalls his centuries of extraordinary life--beginning with his initiation into the ranks of the living dead at the hands of the sinister, sensual vampire Lestat.

The Vampire Lestat
Once an aristocrat in the heady days of pre-revolutionary France, now Lestat is a rockstar in the demonic, shimmering 1980s. He rushes through the centuries in search of others like him, seeking answers to the mystery of his terrifying existence.

Memnoch the Devil
Lestat encounters his most dangerous adversary--the mysterious being Memnoch, who claims to be the Devil. Ushered through the realms of Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell, Lestat must finally decide if he can believe in the Devil or God--and which, if either, he will serve.

The Vampire Armand
In this sixth installment of "The Vampire Chronicles", Rice brings readers the story of the eternally young Armand. Introduced as a minor player in the classic "Interview With the Vampire", Armand now takes his place center stage as he relates his 500-year history. Features an exclusive interview with Rice.

The 2008 Abraham Lincoln High School Book Award Winner

2008-07-15T11:47:00.003-05:00

Ridgewood students and high students throughout the state of Illinois have voted and they have chosen the book "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer as the winner of the 2008 ABE award. Congratulations to everyone who read the ABE nominated books and voted for this year’s winner.

A must read for those looking to sink their teeth into something good!

Bleachers by John Grisham

2008-07-15T11:41:00.003-05:00

As the controversial football coach of a small-town Texas high school lies dying, a group of his former players gather to share stories of their glory days under his demanding regime. (FIC GRISHAM)

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

2008-07-15T11:39:00.002-05:00

Paul, who is gay, has the good fortune to attend a high school where the members of the Gay-Straight Alliance outnumber the football team, the cheerleaders ride Harleys, the star quarterback is also the homecoming queen, and the new guy in school turns out to be the love Paul has been waiting for. (FIC LEVITHAN)

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

2008-07-15T11:37:00.004-05:00

The spirit of a woman long dead, unable to move on to the afterlife, clings to the physical world until she encounters James, a spirit similarly marooned, who shows her how to inhabit an “empty” body. Overjoyed by their discover of each other, the two soon fall deeply in love. (FIC WHITCOMB)

Dropping in with Andy Mac by Andy MacDonald

2008-07-15T11:34:00.004-05:00

A pro skateboarding legend, known for his rejection of the drugs and alcohol so prevalent among his peers, recounts the story of his long, uphill road to success in his demanding and wildly popular sport. (921 MAC)

Fault Line by Janet Tashjian

2008-07-15T11:32:00.003-05:00

When Becky meets fellow comedian Kip at the improv clubs where they both perform, he seems the perfect guy for her – until the relationship turns abusive. (FIC TASHJIAN)

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

2008-07-15T11:18:00.003-05:00

83-year-old Eddie is convinced his life has had little meaning, until his death brings him into the presence of five people who show him the unexpected impact he has had on others. (FIC ALBOM)

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

2008-07-15T11:13:00.003-05:00

Walls, now an MSNBC columnist, reveals the story of her chaotic youth, during which she and her siblings were mostly left to fend for themselves while her alcoholic father and artist mother moved about the country evading bill collectors and the law. (921 Walls)

Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde

2008-07-09T10:16:00.003-05:00

A girl is trapped in a virtual reality game when protestors damage the gaming center’s equipment, and losing is no longer an option for her if she hopes to escape unharmed. (FIC VANDE VELDE)

House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

2008-07-09T10:14:00.003-05:00

In a near-future world, Matt learns he is the clone of El Patron, a powerful drug lord who controls a private empire on the U.S.-Mexico border. Though despised by humans, Matt is sure that El Patron loves him, until he learns the true – and horrifying – reason for his existence. (FIC FARMER)

Left for Dead: A Young Man's Search for Justice for the U.S.S. Indianapolis by Pete Nelson

2008-07-09T10:03:00.003-05:00

Just after midnight on July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. The ship sank in 14 minutes. More than 1,000 men were thrown into shark-infested waters. Later, the Navy court-martialed the ship’s captain.This is the true story of a young boy who spent six years researching the sinking of a U.S. Navy ship in World War II and exposed a major Navy cover-up.
(940.54 NELSON)

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

2008-07-09T10:00:00.002-05:00

A group of genetically engineered children, part human and part bird, flee the lab where they were created and the pursuit of the brutal Erasers, wolf-like predators sent to eliminate them so their existence will never be discovered.
(FIC PATTERSON)

The Meq by Steve Cash

2008-07-09T09:55:00.004-05:00

Having learned on his 12th birthday in 1881 that he is not human but an immortal creature known as a Meq, Zianno Zezen embarks on a dual quest to find his soul- mate and to destroy an evil Meq called Fleur-du-Mal. (FIC CASH)