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Season Reads

Posted on November 10, 2018 by litwithalibrarian

Have you ever picked up a book and thought “This is a good read for (insert season)” and then waited until that season to read it? I have quite a few times. Why is that? Shouldn’t readers be able to enjoy books at any time of the year?

Well, in theory, yes. But some books give off vibes that are better enjoyed in certain seasons. For example, the term “beach read.” Most people wouldn’t pick out murder mysteries to take with them on their beach trip. No, most people would take a light-hearted read with a happy ending because that is the feeling that summer gives people.

So, what about fall/winter reads? Do people tend to lean more towards cold, mysterious novels or do they want to cozy up with a romantic getaway story? Well, I think it depends on the person.

I asked a couple of fellow librarians what they prefer to read around this time of year and my favorite response was:

“Anything that looks like a cozy read. You can really tell by looking at the cover what kind of vibe you are going to get from a book.”

My friend who said this tends to read mysteries year around, but she admitted to reading the more romantic mysteries around this time of year. Is that the vibe readers get from cold weather- romance? Or do we just want to feel warm and fuzzy like our jackets on the inside? I mean, if we’re going to be cold our hearts might as well be warm.

*Image credit: https://foodtank.com/news/2017/01/food-tank-2017-winter-book-list/

Personally, I tend to lean towards more dramatic storylines when the weather gets colder. Whether that drama comes from trauma or relationships, I like it all.

Another thing that I tend to do around Christmas time is re-read some of my favorite books. I’ve already started re-reading my favorite series, Vampire Academy, and I love it as much as the first time I read it. Reading something familiar that I love makes me happy and I will read every single line as if it is my first time reading it.

If you are looking for a new book to cozy up to this winter, here is a really great list categorized by genre. I’ve already picked a few off of it, myself.

Until next time- Go find a winter read!

-Lit Librarian

Chatting with a Fellow Librarian

Posted on November 3, 2018November 3, 2018 by litwithalibrarian

*Featured image credit: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-reasons-people-read-lot-likely-successful.html

Today has been a rather slow day at work, so I asked one of my librarian friends to sit down and have a chat with me about programs and what books she is loving right now. I thought it would be cool to bring another librarian’s perspective to my blog. Enjoy!

How long have you been a librarian?

3 years as an Assistant Young Adult Specialist.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I enjoy interacting with teens and enriching their lives. Sometimes when I have a teen who comes to my programs who is not a very confident reader, I love finding a book for them that makes them love to read.

What is your favorite program that you have ever hosted/planned?

It would probably be the Poetry Jam that I co-hosted this past July because it brought the community together. It was the most attended program over the summer and it fostered a collaborative environment for our community story-tellers.

What are your future plans in the library field?

My goals as a librarian are to create community-oriented programs for all ages. I would like to continue applying for grants and do more outreach in rural school systems.

What are you reading right now?

Currently, I am reading The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturve, which is a YA novel. It’s a fantastic historical non-fiction book and I am excited to really get into it.

What are your top 3 favorite books that you have ever read?

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrick Backman. It creates a universe inside of a universe inside of a universe that has supernatural elements. It’s a story about real loss and a sense of family and community. The world-building in it is incredible.
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson. There are real issues and coping with issues in a very artistic way. It has a happy ending that most YA books don’t have, which is nice.
Paper Towns by John Green. Only because it’s set in my hometown, though. It’s very sentimental to me because I read it as I was moving away from my hometown.

Any advice for future librarians?

My advice to any future librarian is to plan big things. Have big ideas and if no one comes- try again. I would also say make really good friends with your fellow librarians. They are great resources for ideas and book recommendations. Also, dollar crafts will get you through budget cuts! *

Until next time- Go to a program at your local library!

-Lit Librarian

‘Tis the Season to Explore New Genres

Posted on October 27, 2018October 27, 2018 by litwithalibrarian

Although I tend to stick to the Young Adult Genre when I read, I do enjoy exploring different genres on long, slow days at the library. Things really start slowing down at work around the time of Thanksgiving and it stays slow until after the New Year. People are busy eating and partying- I get it.

But what is a bored literary enthusiast to do on slow days surrounded by books? Why look for new things to read, of course!

As of late, I have been really into the magical realism genre. Magical realism, according to Emma Allmann, is “an alternative to an accepted reality.” Who doesn’t want that in life? I had never heard of this genre before two months ago, and it might be a new favorite of mine.

I read Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders a few weeks ago, and it is fantastic! I knew from the description it was going to be an interesting novel, but I had no idea how much I would love it and the questions that Saunders poses in it. This novel will really make you think about what happens to your soul after death and how it affects your loved ones when you are gone. That sounds morbid, but trust me, it isn’t. Saunders has a beautiful writing style and does a great job of roping readers in from the beginning.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/231506/lincoln-in-the-bardo-by-george-saunders/9780812985405/

Another novel I read recently that fits in the magical realism genre is Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing. I didn’t love this novel as much as I loved Saunders’, but it is still an interesting read for those who are just getting into the genre. Ward’s characters make you question what is real and what is only desired to be real. It is beautifully written.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32920226-sing-unburied-sing

I hope to explore this genre more as the holidays approach and I’ll have more time to read for fun. Both of these novels really peaked my interest in the concept of magical realism, so I highly recommend both if you are interested in exploring this genre, as well.

Until next time- Go explore a new genre!

-Lit Librarian

Banned Book Week: The Hate U Give Review

Posted on September 29, 2018September 29, 2018 by litwithalibrarian

Banned Book Week is September 23-29th. I hope you all celebrated this week by reading your favorite banned book while feeling like a bad person for reading it. Because that’s what a banned book means, right? That you’re a bad person for reading it?

If so, call me the worst of the worst. Most of my favorite books appear on the banned books list, and I am more than okay with that. To me, the reason that most of these books are banned is also the reason that the book is so great.

One of my favorite books is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, which was banned in 2017 by a high school in Texas. I was shocked when I found out that it was on the list of banned books. At first, I thought maybe it was banned because of the detailed violence and murder that happens in the book. But no. It is banned for being pervasively vulgar and containing drug use, profanity, and offensive language.

Yes, the book does have all of that in it, but did you happen to get to the part where Starr’s best friend was literally murdered in front of her? What about the part where she fights back against the media’s portrayal of her and her dead friend? Starr is a badass woman and is a beautiful, literary role model for young readers because she fights for what she believes in. I guess that isn’t good enough to cover for all of the bad words in the book, though, huh?

Now that I have told you that the book is banned, let me give you my totally honest review of The Hate U Give:

This is one of the best books you will ever read. Thomas’ writing style is absolutely gorgeous. Her characters, especially Starr, are relatable for any reader and practically jump off the page because they are so real. I wish I could make myself forget what the book was about so I could read it again for the first time. I read it in less than a day and cried for the majority of it because it is so raw and emotional. Even though the characters are fictional, the story is real and is one that is in U.S news practically every week, unfortunately. I am more than ready for Thomas’ next book and for The Hate U Give movie to come out on October 5th so I can experience all of the emotions all over again.

If you like this book, check out Dear Martin by Nic Stone next!

Until next time: Go read a (preferably banned) book!

-Lit Librarian