Looking Good: LibrariYAn's Wishlist

Everyone knows that a good librarian knows the collection, is master of the databases, and can find almost anything on the internet faster than you can say "I already tried Google."  But to be a LibrariYAn, you must also look great doing it.  It's about halfway between Christmas and my birthday, and it's cold outside, so I've been spending some time browsing the internet and compiling a wishlist.

This dress from Etsy needs to be owned by me.  It even kinda looks like the girl is standing on a pile of books!

Of course this dress would SELL OUT after I fell in love with it on Mod Cloth last night.  It may be called the "Art Instructor" dress, but I think it's perfect for a librarian as well.  Perhaps paired with these Library Science heels? (To be honest though, I'd probably wear it with cute ballet flats.)

I've been stalking Ikabags for quite some time now, trying to figure out which one to purchase.  They're perfect!  Lots of pockets and plenty of space for a book or two (or ereader...someday).  Plus, they're handmade and so stylish.  But which one do I want?

I'm also kind of in love with this jewelry from Aroha Silhouettes, including this necklace, made from reclaimed vinyl records, and optical illusion pin.

If only my salary as a middle school librarian permitted these purchases...

The LibrariYAn is an Amazon Associate. If you click from links on this blog to Amazon and buy something (anything!), I receive a small percentage of the purchase price.

A Few of My Favorite Things (Version 2010, Part Two: Historical Fiction)

I have been quite terrible about writing reviews this year, opting instead for hastily put together posts that typically link to an article I read online. You noticed, didn't you? I'm sorry.

To make up for it, I'm trying to cram in reviews of my favorite reads before the calendar turns the page to 2010.  In my last post, I wrote about my favorite science fiction reads from 2010. In this post, I'll blather on about the best historical fiction.  I think that most people's lists would include Jennifer Donnelly's Revolution (which I really enjoyed, but had a few issues with) and Deborah Wiles' Countdown (nothing against it, it just wasn't my favorite), but I found other books just drew me in deeper and left me more satisfied.

Free as a Bird by Gina McMurchy - Tear. Jerker.  A moving story set in the 1960s about a girl with downs syndrome who is put in an institution after the death of her caretaker grandmother.  The depictions of life in an institution are gritty and realistic, yet also accessible for younger teen readers.  The girl, Ruby Jean Sharp, is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take part in a fledgling "life skills" program which could lead to life outside of the institution.  Possibly the most awesome thing about the book, however, is that the author actually worked in the institution which she describes in the story AND has a younger sister with downs (who, incidentally, was NOT institutionalized).  I have been recommending this to my middle schoolers and every student who has read this has LOVED it.  Read this book.

Letters From Wolfie by Patti Sherlock - This was published in 2004 and I only read it because we received a parent complaint at school* but I wound up loving this book so much that I had to put it on my list.  Mark's older brother has shipped off to serve in Vietnam, and seeking some attention, Mark winds up donating his Sheppard mix, Wolfie, to the US Army.  Only after Wolfie begins training and Mark starts a correspondence with Wolfie's trainer does Mark realize he's not getting Wolfie back. Ever.  Army dogs are considered equipment, and as such, are used up until they aren't up to standard, and then retired by being put to sleep.  Mark starts up a campaign to change the way the Army treats dogs, requesting they serve tours, just like soldiers, and then be allowed to return to "civilian life."  But it's not just about the dog.  Mark's whole world is filled with the current events of the time: his brother away at war, his father a steadfast supporter of the war, his mother seeking new independence and questioning her support of the war, teachers in trouble for speaking out about the war, it's all there.  An author's note (which made me cry) at the end briefly explains the history of military dogs.

Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen - This is embarrassing to admit, but Woods Runner is the first book I've read by Gary Paulsen.  I'm not sure why it took me so long, but it did.  It's set during the Revolutionary War and mixes fiction and nonfiction in a really neat way that I haven't seen done before.  I wrote up a long review of this one, but then never posted it until today.  Oops.  But, now that it's up, you can find it here.

*On page 34 the term "reproductive processes" is used and then on the next page, Playboy magazine is referenced.  Fairly harmless, but every parent has the right to make decisions about his or her child's reading.

The LibrariYAn is an Amazon Associate. If you click from links on this blog to Amazon and buy something (anything!), I receive a small percentage of the purchase price.

A Few of My Favorite Things (Version 2010, Part One: Science Fiction)

As 2010 comes to a close I can't help but look back on the books I've read this year and think about which ones were my favorite.  With just 10 days left, my GoodReads account tells me I've read 74 books this year.  My goal was 100.  There's still time, but I don't think I'll make it through 26 books, even though I'm in the middle of at least 10.  Alas.  But I did read 74 books, and some were quite good!  Here is the first installment of my favorites.  I'll begin with my favorite science fiction read this year.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - It's the third book in the dystopic science fiction Hunger Games trilogy, and if I have to say anything more than that, you need to get yourself a copy of The Hunger Games and come back to me when you're finished.

Matched by Allie Condie - I can't remember who said it, but back in September(ish) some blog noted the recent rise of dystopian YA, citing Matched as an example.  I hadn't realized dystopias had EVER gone out of style, but perhaps?  Anyhoot, this is definitely a good one.  I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC at BEA last May and was immediately hooked by the story: It's the future (duh), and society has taken statistical analysis to the ultimate level.  All decisions - what you eat, what job you have, who you marry, and even when and how you will die - are made for you, based on data.  Coming from a background working with Teach For America, where ALL of our decisions are based on data, I found the premise enticing.  The story's twist - what happens if you play with the data in controlled experiments that involve real people - plus the romantic element, had me hooked.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver - Okay, so this one doesn't even come out until February of 2011, but this was another book that I read the ARC of over the summer and just absolutely devoured.  Another dystopia (surprise!), but in this society, love (aka delirium nervosa) is seen as a disease, and on one's 18th birthday he or she gets the procedure that prevents the illness.  It's just a few months before the main character's 18th birthday and she can't wait to get surgically altered and then matched up with her future husband.  She meets a guy, starts getting feelings for him, starts questioning her society, a page-turner ensues.

The LibrariYAn is an Amazon Associate. If you click from links on this blog to Amazon and buy something (anything!), I receive a small percentage of the purchase price.