Daniel Boone Regional Library

June 7:  “The Gatekeepers” starts at Ragtag. (via)
June 10: “Edie & Thea” 5:45 p.m. at Ragtag. (via)
June 12: “Spirit of the Marathon II” 7:00 p.m. at  Forum 8. (via)

Teen Game Night
Friday, June 21 › 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Southern Boone County Public Library

Challenge your friends to a game on our new Wii U or to a board game tournament. We’ll have various games available as well supplies for art projects. Refreshments provided. Ages 12 and older. To register, please call (573) 657-7378. Sign-up begins Friday, April 5. 

My grandfather, who passed away in 2009, was attached to an infantry unit that served in a support role during the Second World War. He was a combat engineer who would have taken part in the Normandy Invasion (and most likely on the deadliest beach of them all–Omaha Beach) if a leg infection had not taken him off the front lines and left him in England for six weeks in June and July of 1944. In his bunk near Dover, as he lay in bed sweating from fever, he could literally hear the advance shelling from allied warships permeating the night-time air in the days leading up to the invasion. The following goes without saying:  if he had actually been part of the land invasion, I would have had about a 50/50 chance of being here. Combat engineers died in droves on Omaha Beach, the casualty rate well over 40%.

The 69th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasions will occur on June 6, 2013. Most veterans of the Second World War have now passed away, and with so few living survivors, what memories remain fill a large number of well-tended archives and war museums, are shown in feature length and documentary films and belong to descendants of the veterans. Dozens of books have also been written about the invasions.

DBRL has many of the most recent and popular titles about the Normandy Invasions, otherwise known as Operation Overlord or D-Day. The most recent is titled “Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies,” written by Ben Macintyre and published in late 2012. The book recounts the extraordinary workings of a group of six men and women, double agents ostensibly part of the German secret intelligence service–the Abwehr–who were in fact working for the British intelligence unit M-16. These men and women were not the usual button-down, black suited spies. Of varied ethnic and international backgrounds, not one was a native German, although all of them spoke (and wrote) the language fluently. Macintyre points out throughout the book that because of the web of deceit these spies wove, the actual location of the Normandy landings was a complete mystery to the Abwehr, the Werhmacht and Adolf Hitler himself.

The same year that my grandfather passed away, 2009, “D-Day: The Battle for Normandy” was released. Written by Antony Beevor, who has authored several best sellers about the Second World War (including, arguably, the best book about the Eastern Front ever written: “Stalingrad”), “The Battle for Normandy” is a thorough, and often thrilling, chronological recounting of the invasion that includes maps, photographs and a timeline that ends with the invasion of Paris. The book also recounts in detail many of the less well-known and messy operations that occurred directly after the invasion, including Operation Goodwind and Operation Cobra.

The coffee-table book “D-Day: The Greatest Invasion: A People’s History,” published in 2003, includes documents, maps and rare color photographs taken during the summer of 1944. A readable piece of social history, what is most unique about this book is that it includes many personal accounts and photographs of regular English, American and French soldiers. The book also includes many photographs of the buildings, houses and landscapes taken by officers during the invasion, comparing them with contemporary photographs (if the buildings were left standing).

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day Invasions, the Imperial War Museum in Great Britain released a book in 2004 entitled “D-Day, 6.6.44.” With additional personal accounts from soldiers and a discussion of the planning and execution of the invasions. The book accompanied the BBC film “D-Day.” “D-Day, 6.6.44″ is a nice introductory book if one is looking for a broad overview of the history of the invasion. It includes several insightful chapters about the French resistance, which in tandem with the spies involved in Operation Double-Cross offered vital military intelligence to the allies.

DBRL has an exceptional collection of Second World War books. Please come see us and check out the fantastic titles listed above (and many more) if you are looking for a history of the conflict that led to the making of the modern world.

My grandfather, who passed away in 2009, was attached to an infantry unit that served in a support role during the Second World War. He was a combat engineer who would have taken part in the Normandy Invasion (and most likely on the deadliest beach of them all–Omaha Beach) if a leg infection had not taken him off the front lines and left him in England for six weeks in June and July of 1944. In his bunk near Dover, as he lay in bed sweating from fever, he could literally hear the advance shelling from allied warships permeating the night-time air in the days leading up to the invasion. The following goes without saying:  if he had actually been part of the land invasion, I would have had about a 50/50 chance of being here. Combat engineers died in droves on Omaha Beach, the casualty rate well over 40%.

The 69th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasions will occur on June 6, 2013. Most veterans of the Second World War have now passed away, and with so few living survivors, what memories remain fill a large number of well-tended archives and war museums, are shown in feature length and documentary films and belong to descendants of the veterans. Dozens of books have also been written about the invasions.

DBRL has many of the most recent and popular titles about the Normandy Invasions, otherwise known as Operation Overlord or D-Day. The most recent is titled “Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies,” written by Ben Macintyre and published in late 2012. The book recounts the extraordinary workings of a group of six men and women, double agents ostensibly part of the German secret intelligence service–the Abwehr–who were in fact working for the British intelligence unit M-16. These men and women were not the usual button-down, black suited spies. Of varied ethnic and international backgrounds, not one was a native German, although all of them spoke (and wrote) the language fluently. Macintyre points out throughout the book that because of the web of deceit these spies wove, the actual location of the Normandy landings was a complete mystery to the Abwehr, the Werhmacht and Adolf Hitler himself.

The same year that my grandfather passed away, 2009, “D-Day: The Battle for Normandy” was released. Written by Antony Beevor, who has authored several best sellers about the Second World War (including, arguably, the best book about the Eastern Front ever written: “Stalingrad”), “The Battle for Normandy” is a thorough, and often thrilling, chronological recounting of the invasion that includes maps, photographs and a timeline that ends with the invasion of Paris. The book also recounts in detail many of the less well-known and messy operations that occurred directly after the invasion, including Operation Goodwind and Operation Cobra.

The coffee-table book “D-Day: The Greatest Invasion: A People’s History,” published in 2003, includes documents, maps and rare color photographs taken during the summer of 1944. A readable piece of social history, what is most unique about this book is that it includes many personal accounts and photographs of regular English, American and French soldiers. The book also includes many photographs of the buildings, houses and landscapes taken by officers during the invasion, comparing them with contemporary photographs (if the buildings were left standing).

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day Invasions, the Imperial War Museum in Great Britain released a book in 2004 entitled “D-Day, 6.6.44.” With additional personal accounts from soldiers and a discussion of the planning and execution of the invasions. The book accompanied the BBC film “D-Day.” “D-Day, 6.6.44″ is a nice introductory book if one is looking for a broad overview of the history of the invasion. It includes several insightful chapters about the French resistance, which in tandem with the spies involved in Operation Double-Cross offered vital military intelligence to the allies.

DBRL has an exceptional collection of Second World War books. Please come see us and check out the fantastic titles listed above (and many more) if you are looking for a history of the conflict that led to the making of the modern world.

Don’t miss Shred Fest! This skateboarding event geared toward celebrating National Skateboarding Day will be held this Saturday, June 8 from 4-7 p.m. at the Columbia Skate Park in Cosmo Park.

This event is free and open to skaters of all ages and skill levels, or to those who simply want to watch. Participants will be able to enter a high ollie, tic-tac and best trick contests. The day will also feature great music, food and helmet giveaways.

Shred Fest is presented by Columbia Parks and Recreation, Parkside Skate Shop, Tiger Pilot Club, and Youth Community Coalition.

Event Schedule

4 p.m.: Opening Ceremony
4:30 p.m.: Best Trick – Beginner
5:00 p.m.: Best Trick – Intermediate
5:30 p.m.: Tic Tac Races
6:00 p.m.: High Ollie Contest
6:30 p.m.: Best Trick – Advanced

SYNC, a service of AudioFile Magazine, offers free young adult and classic audiobook downloads during the summer months. These audiobooks download directly to your computer through Overdrive Media Console. After you’ve downloaded the audiobook to your computer, you can then transfer it to your MP3 player, iPod or other Apple device.

If you download free audiobooks through the library, then you may already be familiar with Overdrive Media Console. If not, you can review these instructions to help you get started. The best part is that all audiobooks downloaded through SYNC are yours to keep forever and ever.

This summer’s lineup includes “Of Poseidon” by Anna Banks, “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater, “Grave Mercy” by Robin LaFevers, “The False Prince” by Jennifer Nielsen and “Enchanted” by Althea Kontis, all of which are nominees for the 2013 Teens’ Top Ten booklist. The classics available for download include works by Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and more!

This week’s free audiobook downloads are “Of Poseidon” by Anna Banks and “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare. They are only available through June 5, so don’t delay! Visit SYNC’s website to review the complete schedule of free downloads.

SYNC, a service of AudioFile Magazine, offers free young adult and classic audiobook downloads during the summer months. These audiobooks download directly to your computer through Overdrive Media Console. After you’ve downloaded the audiobook to your computer, you can then transfer it to your MP3 player, iPod or other Apple device.

If you download free audiobooks through the library, then you may already be familiar with Overdrive Media Console. If not, you can review these instructions to help you get started. The best part is that all audiobooks downloaded through SYNC are yours to keep forever and ever.

This summer’s lineup includes “Of Poseidon” by Anna Banks, “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater, “Grave Mercy” by Robin LaFevers, “The False Prince” by Jennifer Nielsen and “Enchanted” by Althea Kontis, all of which are nominees for the 2013 Teens’ Top Ten booklist. The classics available for download include works by Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and more!

This week’s free audiobook downloads are “Of Poseidon” by Anna Banks and “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare. They are only available through June 5, so don’t delay! Visit SYNC’s website to review the complete schedule of free downloads.

We recently added “Only the Young” and “Tchoupitoulas“ to the DBRL collection. The two films were released as a bundled set by the film company Oscilloscope Laboratories, and they are in our catalog as one record with two separate discs. “Only the Young” played at the True/False Film Festival in 2012, and currently has a rating of 80% from critics at Rotten Tomatoes. “Tchoupitoulas” is the latest film from the Ross Brothers, and it currently has a rating of 88% from ciritcs at Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s a synopsis for the films from our catalog:

“Only the Young” - Presents three teenagers living in a Southern California desert town dominated by foreclosed homes and underpasses, empty swimming pools and skateboard parks. With disarming honesty and wit, the innocent yet rebellious teens navigate friendship and first love.

“Tchoupitoulas” - In this lyrical portrait, three adolescent brothers take us on a lively journey through one immersive night in New Orleans, encountering a vibrant kaleidoscope of dancers, musicians, hustlers, and revelers and introducing us to the people who make the city their home.

Check out the Oscilloscope pages for “Only the Young” and “Tchoupitoulas” for more info.

Don’t you hate the doldrums? That awful time of year between the NFL draft and preseason games. Sure, there are other sports to watch. Baseball is heating up with the All-Star break approaching, the NBA and NHL will crown a champion soon and the US Open is right around the corner. But there’s nothing quite like a good NFL game. Sadly, September is a long way off.

Fear not, football fans! There are plenty of great books out there to keep you entertained and get you ready for the 2013 NFL season.

“Warpaths: The Illustrated History of the Kansas City Chiefs” by Alan Hoskins
Expectations are high for every team months away from the opening game. The 2013 Kansas City Chiefs’ expectations might be a little higher than most. Take an illustrated stroll through Kansas City’s football history.

“On Every Play, Eleven Men Believed: The Story of How the St. Louis Rams Rose from the Cellar to the Super Bowl“
Remember the 1999 St. Louis Rams? Follow their path to the championship through a collection of articles from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Read about Marshall Faulk’s first year in St. Louis, Kurt Warner’s MVP, “The Tackle” and other great stories of the legendary “Greatest Show on Turf.”

“That First Season” by John Eisenberg
Experience the beginning of a dynasty. Eisenberg tells us about Vince Lombardi’s first season in Green Bay and how he took the Packers from obscurity to dominance.

“Take Your Eye Off The Ball” by Pat Kirwan
We live in a golden age of watching football. We have an analyst or expert to break down every play on both sides of the ball. Pat Kirwan shows how to look past the pretty lights and flashes and focus on the real greatness of the game.

“The Games that Changed the Game” by Ron Jaworski
From Bill Wash’s West Coast Offense to the Zone Blitzes of the Steelers, ESPN’s Ron Jaworski uses seven unique games to highlight major transformations in the modern NFL playbook.

Don’t you hate the doldrums? That awful time of year between the NFL draft and preseason games. Sure, there are other sports to watch. Baseball is heating up with the All-Star break approaching, the NBA and NHL will crown a champion soon and the US Open is right around the corner. But there’s nothing quite like a good NFL game. Sadly, September is a long way off.

Fear not, football fans! There are plenty of great books out there to keep you entertained and get you ready for the 2013 NFL season.

“Warpaths: The Illustrated History of the Kansas City Chiefs” by Alan Hoskins
Expectations are high for every team months away from the opening game. The 2013 Kansas City Chiefs’ expectations might be a little higher than most. Take an illustrated stroll through Kansas City’s football history.

“On Every Play, Eleven Men Believed: The Story of How the St. Louis Rams Rose from the Cellar to the Super Bowl“
Remember the 1999 St. Louis Rams? Follow their path to the championship through a collection of articles from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Read about Marshall Faulk’s first year in St. Louis, Kurt Warner’s MVP, “The Tackle” and other great stories of the legendary “Greatest Show on Turf.”

“That First Season” by John Eisenberg
Experience the beginning of a dynasty. Eisenberg tells us about Vince Lombardi’s first season in Green Bay and how he took the Packers from obscurity to dominance.

“Take Your Eye Off The Ball” by Pat Kirwan
We live in a golden age of watching football. We have an analyst or expert to break down every play on both sides of the ball. Pat Kirwan shows how to look past the pretty lights and flashes and focus on the real greatness of the game.

“The Games that Changed the Game” by Ron Jaworski
From Bill Wash’s West Coast Offense to the Zone Blitzes of the Steelers, ESPN’s Ron Jaworski uses seven unique games to highlight major transformations in the modern NFL playbook.

Use your camera to explore beneath the surface of your environment. Submit your photos in one of three categories by July 26 for a chance to win a Barnes & Noble gift card:

• Portrait: A photograph of a person or group of people observed in their natural environment.
• Nature: A photograph that includes animals, plants, landscapes or panoramic views.
• Artistic Showcase: A creative photograph that may not fit in the other two categories.

This contest is open to all teens ages 12-18 in Boone and Callaway Counties. All eligible entries will be showcased at teens.dbrl.org. Review contest rules and submission guidelines at teens.dbrl.org/photo-contest. Questions? You may contact a librarian for answers at teen@dbrl.org or (573) 443-3161.

You like to read. You like to win free stuff. With Summer Reading, you can do both! Groundbreaking Reads invites you to dig into some big and new ideas through books and programs, now through August 3. Registration is open, and participating is easy. Here’s how:

• Sign up online or in person at any of our libraries and on the bookmobile. As a summer reader you’ll be entered into weekly drawings for Barnes & Noble gift cards.
• Read! Browse our fiction and nonfiction lists for inspiration. This year our patrons shared titles they found personally groundbreaking. Or simply dive into that pile of books waiting on your night stand.
• Attend related programs. You can learn about literal groundbreaking with a gardening program, find out how to turn a groundbreaking idea into a business, unearth your family’s history or go underground to explore Missouri’s caves.
• Submit book reviews. With each review, we’ll enter your name into a weekly gift card drawing; the more reviews you submit, the better your chance of winning! We’ll feature the best of the reviews we receive here on DBRL Next.

 

Registration for teen summer reading has begun! Sign up online, or at any of our three branches or bookmobile stops. The library is challenging area young adults ages 12-18 to read for 20 hours, share three book reviews and do seven of our suggested activities. Get your reward card punched as you go, and when you finish, you’ll receive a summer reading bag and be entered in a drawing for a free Kindle E-reader.

Registration for teen summer reading has begun! Sign up online, or at any of our three branches or bookmobile stops. The library is challenging area young adults ages 12-18 to read for 20 hours, share three book reviews and do seven of our suggested activities. Get your reward card punched as you go, and when you finish, you’ll receive a summer reading bag and be entered in a drawing for a free Kindle E-reader.

We recently added “Kumare” to the DBRL collection. The film was the winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at SXSW 2011 and currently has a rating of 85% from audiences at Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s a synopsis from our catalog:

A provocative social experiment-turned-documentary, Kumare follows American filmmaker Vikram Gandhi as he transforms himself into a wise Indian guru, hoping to prove the absurdity of blind faith. Instead, he finds himself forging profound connections with people from all walks of life — and wondering if and when to reveal his true self…winner of South by Southwest’s Audience Award, Kumare is an insightful look at faith and belief.

Check out the film trailer or the official film site for more info.

Get ready for our annual Adult Summer Reading program! Starting May 31 your library invites you to dig in to groundbreaking books and ideas of all kinds. Sign up here at DBRL Next, share your book reviews to be entered into weekly drawings for book store gift certificates and join us for a range of inspiring programs. Who knows what new interests you might uncover?

Unearthing the Mysteries of Mars
Tuesday, June 11 › 7-8:15 p.m.
Columbia Public Library, Friends Room

Mars has the same day-length and axial tilt as Earth, an atmosphere with clouds, ice caps at both poles and what look like continents in a planetary ocean. Val Germann of the Central Missouri Astronomical Association will tell us why Mars remains the planet in our solar system most likely to be fostering some form of life. He’ll also discuss what the Mars rovers have revealed about the dangers to our own atmosphere here on Earth.

Genealogy Research With “Find a Grave”

• Thursday, June 13 › 7-8:30 p.m.
  Southern Boone County Public Library, Meeting Room (To sign up call 573-657-7378)
• Saturday, June 29 › 9:30-11 a.m.
  Callaway County Public Library (No registration required)

Amanda Lake of the Genealogical Society of Central Missouri will show you how to use the “Find a Grave” website to do genealogy research, beginning with the free sign-up process and demonstrating searches by name and cemetery. She will explain how to become a photo volunteer and how to put together a virtual family cemetery. Registration begins Thursday, May 30.

Growing Edible Herb Gardens
Monday, June 17 › 6:30-8 p.m.
Callaway County Public Library, Friends Room

Christine Breakfield, a community health educator with the Callaway County Health Department, will show you how to grow potted herbs and use them to create flavorful dishes. You’ll pot your own herbs to take home. Adults. Registration begins Monday, June 3. Call 573-642-7261 to sign up.

If Walls Could Talk
Tuesday, June 18 › 7-8:15 p.m.
Columbia Public Library, Friends Room

Learn how to unearth the history of your house and neighborhood. Are there any fascinating stories buried in the past? Architectural historian and historic preservation consultant Deb Sheals will tell us what records to look for to date historic houses and identify their early owners and occupants and where to find records online and locally.

Read more about these and other Adult Summer Reading programs in our online calendar. We hope to see you at the library this summer!

Wii U Teen Game Night
Wednesday, June 12 › 6-8 p.m.
Columbia Public Library

Test drive the library’s new Wii U game console. Become a dancing superstar in “Just Dance 4,” defeat evil aliens in your own “Metroid” spaceship or team up with friends to conquer Bowser in the new “Super Mario Bros.” We’ll also have snacks and a selection of the library’s newest teen fiction, music and DVDs for you to check out. Don’t have a library card? We’ll have library card applications on hand for your parent or guardian to sign.  Ages 12 and older. Registration begins Tuesday, June 4. Call (573) 443-3161 to sign up!

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day due to the practice of decorating veterans’ graves with flowers and flags and has roots in our nation’s extreme grief following the Civil War. Beginning in 1866, May 30 of each year was designated as Memorial Day, but this was later amended so that the holiday always falls on the last Monday in May. Local communities are marking this holiday by honoring soldiers in various ways, from performances and parades to services in local cemeteries.

The 2013 Salute to Veterans weekend is one of the largest local celebrations, providing an airshow May 25 and 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Columbia Regional Airport. The annual Salute To Veterans Parade begins at 9:55 a.m. on May 27 on Broadway in downtown Columbia.

All library buildings are closed this Memorial Day (and Sunday, May 26), but there are plenty of resources you can access online 24 hours a day.

• Learn about the history of Memorial Day in American History Online.
• Research your family history, including relatives who served in the military, using resources listed in our Genealogy subject guide.
• Find out about other area celebrations in our Events & Festivals subject guide.
• Browse books about the Civil War in Missouri, and place holds on those titles you would like to pick up when the library reopens.

Image source: “WPA Memorial Day Poster.” Library of Congress. Prints and Photographs Division. Work Projects Administration Poster Collection. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE52&iPin=AHI10902&SingleRecord=True (accessed May 24, 2012)

The Teens’ Top Ten is a “teen choice” list of recommended reading sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year. Sixteen young adult book clubs from libraries across the country are responsible for narrowing down a list of nominees for teens to vote on nationwide. Below is this year’s full list of Top Ten nominations.

I admit that I’m mostly satisfied with this year’s picks, though some might consider the list to be a little heavy on mythological romance like “Of Poseidon” by Anna Banks or “Underworld” by Meg Cabot. I love that this booklist gets published in late spring because it sets the tone for my entire season of summer reading. I loved Veronica Roth’s Insurgent” and I’m looking forward to reading “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater and “Every Day” by David Levithan. Which titles will you be adding to your list of must-reads?

“Crewel” by Gennifer Albin
In a futuristic world, Spinsters are women with the power to weave everything into form, whether it be food, buildings, or peoples’ very lives. Adelice Lewys has this talent, and she is whisked away into a world of luxury and elegance because of it. Although it is often advertised at the perfect life, it is far from it as things are never how they seem.

“Of Poseidon” by Anna Banks
Emma has never really questioned her ability to communicate with fish, her strange violet eyes, or her awkwardness on land, but when her best friend, Chloe, dies in a shark attack and the attractive, mysterious Galen keeps showing up in her life, Emma soon learns that she belongs in a different world –- one that is underwater. In the meantime, Galen, the prince of the Syrena, must learn why Emma seems to not quite fit in with either the humans or the Syrena while battling the strong attraction he feels towards her. As the relationship between the two develops, they are faced with difficult decisions between duty and desire that could lead to a huge change of Syrena history.

“Underworld” by Meg Cabot
In the second book of the Abandon series, Pierce Oliviera has been — yet again — kidnapped by John Hayden, the ruler of the Underworld. However, this time she can’t escape, and when she gets a video on her phone predicting her cousin Alex’s death, Pierce panics and begs John for help. She will do anything if only he will help her cousin out, including staying with him forever in the Underworld. Check out our staff review of the first title in this series!

“Bitterblue” by Kristin Cashore
When her evil father, King Leck, dies, Bitterblue is made queen of a kingdom she knows nothing about. As she struggles to come to terms with both who she is and the legacy her father left on the city, Bitterblue tries to discover the secrets of her father’s crimes by walking the streets of her own city in disguise. Filled with struggle, suspense and surprises, will she be able to turn her kingdom into a better place?

“Poison Princess” by Kresley Cole
What really happens at the end of the world? Cannibals, Baggers, people try to sell you — and in this world, sixteen-year-old Evie is one of the few healthy teen girls. Evie sets out on a quest to find herself, all while things heat up between her and Jackson, the troubled bad boy from across the tracks. She knows life will get even worse as she comes to realize that she isn’t like other people. Luckily, or maybe unluckily for her, Jackson is the only one that can help her survive.

“Skinny” by Donna Cooner
Ever has always wanted to live in a fairy tale, but with 302 pounds weighing her down, it’s difficult to achieve. It’s even harder with Skinny, her own private critic, constantly belittling her. In this inspirational tale, Ever discovers the truth of learning how to overcome and accept the issues that plague her.

“Kill Me Softly” by Sarah Cross
After being raised her whole life by her fairy godmothers, Mirabelle runs away to the town where they said her parents died. But when she gets there, she starts to notice that it isn’t any ordinary town and that the teens who live there are fated to play out the Grimms’ fairy tales. So when Mira finds out that she, too, has a role to play, it’s only a matter of time before her story could lose its happy ending.

“Croak” by Gina Damico
Lexington “Lex” Bartleby is a juvenile delinquent who is sent to her uncle Mort’s after her latest stunt. Once there she discovers that she is a Grim Reaper. She was born to have the ability to take the souls from dead bodies and send them to the Afterlife. On the job, she feels the need for justice for the poor people who have died, but they aren’t allowed to do anything but transport the souls. As she deals with this struggle, her limits are tested as she discovers how far she will go to help the souls and herself.

“The Hunt” by Andrew Fukuda
For as long as he can remember, Gene’s father has always taught him how to keep a low profile so no one can notice that he’s different. He can’t run as fast, he can go outside in the daytime, and he doesn’t have a lust for blood. Gene is human, and each day is a battle to keep his secret locked away or be devoured by everyone around him. When he is chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hunt the last few remaining humans, he is thrust into the fight of his life and into the orbit of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible. Little does he know, however, she has a few secrets of her own.

“172 Hours on the Moon” by Johan Harstad
When NASA holds a world-wide contest for returning to the moon, no one — not even the three teenage participants — can fathom what is really in store for them up on the airless, empty gray mass. Or is it truly empty … ? Unbeknownst to them, what they find up there will change not only their lives, but the lives of everyone on Earth.

“Seraphina” by Rachel Harman
Dragons and humans have finally achieved peace, and the anniversary celebration is fast approaching. For Seraphina Dombegh, who is half dragon and half human, life is about blending in. However, a series of events will place her in the path of the Prince Lucian, Captain of the Queen’s Guard, and a hunt for a killer determined to start a war.

“Wake” by Amanda Hocking
Three mysterious girls have just blown into town, and everyone has their eyes on them. Little does everyone know, they also have their eyes on the towns’ residences. Gemma in particular has caught their eyes, and they want her. Little does Gemma know, she’s about to be thrown into a situation she might not be able to get out of.

“Tilt” by Ellen Hopkins
Tilt tells the story of three teenagers, all wondering about who they are and how they fit into the world. One struggles with a teen pregnancy, another deals with AIDS, while the last must overcome an abusive relationship. As things begin to change drastically, with them not in control, all they can do is hang on for the ride.

“Enchanted” by Alethea Kontis
Sunday loves to write stories; the only problem is that when she reads them aloud, they tend to come true. So when a frog claiming to be a cursed human comes along, he asks her to do two things: to read a few stories that won’t harm anyone and to kiss him. When you kiss an enchanted animal — or in this case, a frog — the enchanted will return to his true self. What Sunday doesn’t know is that if she kisses him, her life will change forever.

“Grave Mercy” by Robin LaFevers
Ismae is the daughter of the God of Death. After a near escape to a convent from her arranged marriage, Ismae is trained in the arts of a handmaiden of Death: assassination. Sent to the household of a possible traitor, Gavriel, Ismae begins to see glimpses of faults within her convent and honor in the man she is sent to spy on. Despite any feelings or doubts, she knows her first duty is to Death, but she has to wonder: what will her duty cost her and the man she is coming to love?

“Butter” by Erin Jade Lange
Butter is a morbidly obese teenager who is sick of being invisible but who doesn’t really want to make a splash either. One day, he’s finally pushed over the edge, and he posts a blog about his last meal, the one that he plans will kill him. This blog post brings him instant popularity, making Butter happy for once in his life. But Butter knows that his life is still far from perfect, and he must struggle with himself to determine who he will be and what course his life will take.

“Monument 14” Emmy Laybourne
Monument 14 is a book filled with terror, fear, and love, all inside a supermarket where fourteen kids are trapped . They are unable to leave as a monster hailstorm has hit, leading to variety of other disasters like a chemical weapon spill. Now they must find a way to escape their town, Monument, and get to safety in Alaska.

“Every Day” by David Levithan
A wakes up in a different body every day. It has always been that way for A, and A has rules to live by, like not getting too involved in the person’s life. Then A meets Rhiannon, the girlfriend of Justin, the boy whose body A is inhabiting. Suddenly, none of the rules apply because A is falling for Rhiannon and she won’t leave A’s mind even after A has left Justin’s body…

“Son” by Lois Lowry
In this new branch of the dystopian story started by “The Giver“, we follow the life of Claire, a birthmother in Jonas’s community. When Claire gives birth and her baby is taken from her, we see the first signs of emotion from someone besides Jonas in the community. In this riveting tale about the strength of a mother’s love, you’ll be whisked through an epic adventure of good vs. evil that explores the concepts of freedom, love, and sacrifice.

“I Hunt Killers” by Barry Lyga
Jazz is the son of an infamous serial killer and has witnessed crime scenes from the killer’s point of view. So when a body is discovered, Jazz wants to use the skills he knows to help find the killer. However, he’s not just trying to prove to other people that he’s not like his father; he’s also trying to prove it to himself despite what he already knows.

“Pushing the Limits” by Katie McGarry
Echo is a high school girl with “freaky” scars on her arms and no memory of how it happened. Noah is the high school stoner who uses girls and has no future. Over the course of their senior year, their lives will intersect in a way they never could have imagined, going through a journey that will prove to themselves and each other that they are more than what their reputations demand.

“The False Prince” by Jennifer Nielsen
In a faraway land, civil war is brewing. To unify his kingdom’s divided people, a nobleman named Conner devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him on the throne. Four orphans are forced to compete for the role, including a defiant and clever boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point — he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. His rivals have their own agendas as well, so Sage must trust no one and keep his thoughts hidden. As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner’s sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of lies unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that may very well prove more dangerous than all the lies taken together.

“Between the Lines” by Jodi Picoult
Delilah is a lonely, straight-A, freshman student who is shunned by nearly everyone at her school except for her punk best friend, Jules. Her mother pushes her to get out more by making her join the swim team even though she always gets last place. Her father left her for another family and never visits. So it’s no wonder she would rather spend her days reading. She finds a fairy tale that she can’t stop reading and falls in the love with the prince of the story. Too bad he’s not real … or is he?

“Falling Kingdoms” by Morgan Rhodes
War is brewing and unrest is widespread. The breaking point is a single incident in the dying nation of Paelsia. While three kingdoms battle for power, four young people find themselves greatly affected by it as they experience things like betrayal and war.

“Insurgent” by Veronica Roth
In the sequel to “Divergent“, Tris Prior is safe at the Amity compounds with her fellow survivors. With the whole city at war with itself and Jeannine looking for all the Divergent, Tris must learn to embrace her own divergence and understand it, though it might prove a dangerous task.

“Immortal City” by Scott Speer
The Immortal City: where guardian angels only protect the richest people and it’s the hottest, trendiest thing to be an angel. Maddy doesn’t quite understand what all the hype on angels is about, but when the most desired angel, Jacks, asks her for help, she finds out more about angels than she ever expected possible. Soon after, they immediately fall in love. But when someone threatens this love, what will they do about it?

“The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater
The Raven Boys is a thrilling adventure that captures you and takes you down the supernatural path with a daring girl named Blue, four complicated guys, and one life-altering quest and mystery of finding the Glendower King. Check out our staff review of this title!

“Code Name Verity” by Elizabeth Wein
Verity is held captive by the Gestapo in 1943. She is told to reveal the secrets of the pilot who brought her to France or face the brutal consequences. As she does this, she weaves a story of an unlikely friendship and the bonds formed by it. Their tales intertwined form a suspenseful, breathtaking narrative of espionage — hope — horror — and friendship that spans untold secrets!

The Teens’ Top Ten is a “teen choice” list of recommended reading sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year. Sixteen young adult book clubs from libraries across the country are responsible for narrowing down a list of nominees for teens to vote on nationwide. Below is this year’s full list of Top Ten nominations.

I admit that I’m mostly satisfied with this year’s picks, though some might consider the list to be a little heavy on mythological romance like “Of Poseidon” by Anna Banks or “Underworld” by Meg Cabot. I love that this booklist gets published in late spring because it sets the tone for my entire season of summer reading. I loved Veronica Roth’s Insurgent” and I’m looking forward to reading “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater and “Every Day” by David Levithan. Which titles will you be adding to your list of must-reads?

“Crewel” by Gennifer Albin
In a futuristic world, Spinsters are women with the power to weave everything into form, whether it be food, buildings, or peoples’ very lives. Adelice Lewys has this talent, and she is whisked away into a world of luxury and elegance because of it. Although it is often advertised at the perfect life, it is far from it as things are never how they seem.

“Of Poseidon” by Anna Banks
Emma has never really questioned her ability to communicate with fish, her strange violet eyes, or her awkwardness on land, but when her best friend, Chloe, dies in a shark attack and the attractive, mysterious Galen keeps showing up in her life, Emma soon learns that she belongs in a different world –- one that is underwater. In the meantime, Galen, the prince of the Syrena, must learn why Emma seems to not quite fit in with either the humans or the Syrena while battling the strong attraction he feels towards her. As the relationship between the two develops, they are faced with difficult decisions between duty and desire that could lead to a huge change of Syrena history.

“Underworld” by Meg Cabot
In the second book of the Abandon series, Pierce Oliviera has been — yet again — kidnapped by John Hayden, the ruler of the Underworld. However, this time she can’t escape, and when she gets a video on her phone predicting her cousin Alex’s death, Pierce panics and begs John for help. She will do anything if only he will help her cousin out, including staying with him forever in the Underworld. Check out our staff review of the first title in this series!

“Bitterblue” by Kristin Cashore
When her evil father, King Leck, dies, Bitterblue is made queen of a kingdom she knows nothing about. As she struggles to come to terms with both who she is and the legacy her father left on the city, Bitterblue tries to discover the secrets of her father’s crimes by walking the streets of her own city in disguise. Filled with struggle, suspense and surprises, will she be able to turn her kingdom into a better place?

“Poison Princess” by Kresley Cole
What really happens at the end of the world? Cannibals, Baggers, people try to sell you — and in this world, sixteen-year-old Evie is one of the few healthy teen girls. Evie sets out on a quest to find herself, all while things heat up between her and Jackson, the troubled bad boy from across the tracks. She knows life will get even worse as she comes to realize that she isn’t like other people. Luckily, or maybe unluckily for her, Jackson is the only one that can help her survive.

“Skinny” by Donna Cooner
Ever has always wanted to live in a fairy tale, but with 302 pounds weighing her down, it’s difficult to achieve. It’s even harder with Skinny, her own private critic, constantly belittling her. In this inspirational tale, Ever discovers the truth of learning how to overcome and accept the issues that plague her.

“Kill Me Softly” by Sarah Cross
After being raised her whole life by her fairy godmothers, Mirabelle runs away to the town where they said her parents died. But when she gets there, she starts to notice that it isn’t any ordinary town and that the teens who live there are fated to play out the Grimms’ fairy tales. So when Mira finds out that she, too, has a role to play, it’s only a matter of time before her story could lose its happy ending.

“Croak” by Gina Damico
Lexington “Lex” Bartleby is a juvenile delinquent who is sent to her uncle Mort’s after her latest stunt. Once there she discovers that she is a Grim Reaper. She was born to have the ability to take the souls from dead bodies and send them to the Afterlife. On the job, she feels the need for justice for the poor people who have died, but they aren’t allowed to do anything but transport the souls. As she deals with this struggle, her limits are tested as she discovers how far she will go to help the souls and herself.

“The Hunt” by Andrew Fukuda
For as long as he can remember, Gene’s father has always taught him how to keep a low profile so no one can notice that he’s different. He can’t run as fast, he can go outside in the daytime, and he doesn’t have a lust for blood. Gene is human, and each day is a battle to keep his secret locked away or be devoured by everyone around him. When he is chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hunt the last few remaining humans, he is thrust into the fight of his life and into the orbit of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible. Little does he know, however, she has a few secrets of her own.

“172 Hours on the Moon” by Johan Harstad
When NASA holds a world-wide contest for returning to the moon, no one — not even the three teenage participants — can fathom what is really in store for them up on the airless, empty gray mass. Or is it truly empty … ? Unbeknownst to them, what they find up there will change not only their lives, but the lives of everyone on Earth.

“Seraphina” by Rachel Harman
Dragons and humans have finally achieved peace, and the anniversary celebration is fast approaching. For Seraphina Dombegh, who is half dragon and half human, life is about blending in. However, a series of events will place her in the path of the Prince Lucian, Captain of the Queen’s Guard, and a hunt for a killer determined to start a war.

“Wake” by Amanda Hocking
Three mysterious girls have just blown into town, and everyone has their eyes on them. Little does everyone know, they also have their eyes on the towns’ residences. Gemma in particular has caught their eyes, and they want her. Little does Gemma know, she’s about to be thrown into a situation she might not be able to get out of.

“Tilt” by Ellen Hopkins
Tilt tells the story of three teenagers, all wondering about who they are and how they fit into the world. One struggles with a teen pregnancy, another deals with AIDS, while the last must overcome an abusive relationship. As things begin to change drastically, with them not in control, all they can do is hang on for the ride.

“Enchanted” by Alethea Kontis
Sunday loves to write stories; the only problem is that when she reads them aloud, they tend to come true. So when a frog claiming to be a cursed human comes along, he asks her to do two things: to read a few stories that won’t harm anyone and to kiss him. When you kiss an enchanted animal — or in this case, a frog — the enchanted will return to his true self. What Sunday doesn’t know is that if she kisses him, her life will change forever.

“Grave Mercy” by Robin LaFevers
Ismae is the daughter of the God of Death. After a near escape to a convent from her arranged marriage, Ismae is trained in the arts of a handmaiden of Death: assassination. Sent to the household of a possible traitor, Gavriel, Ismae begins to see glimpses of faults within her convent and honor in the man she is sent to spy on. Despite any feelings or doubts, she knows her first duty is to Death, but she has to wonder: what will her duty cost her and the man she is coming to love?

“Butter” by Erin Jade Lange
Butter is a morbidly obese teenager who is sick of being invisible but who doesn’t really want to make a splash either. One day, he’s finally pushed over the edge, and he posts a blog about his last meal, the one that he plans will kill him. This blog post brings him instant popularity, making Butter happy for once in his life. But Butter knows that his life is still far from perfect, and he must struggle with himself to determine who he will be and what course his life will take.

“Monument 14” Emmy Laybourne
Monument 14 is a book filled with terror, fear, and love, all inside a supermarket where fourteen kids are trapped . They are unable to leave as a monster hailstorm has hit, leading to variety of other disasters like a chemical weapon spill. Now they must find a way to escape their town, Monument, and get to safety in Alaska.

“Every Day” by David Levithan
A wakes up in a different body every day. It has always been that way for A, and A has rules to live by, like not getting too involved in the person’s life. Then A meets Rhiannon, the girlfriend of Justin, the boy whose body A is inhabiting. Suddenly, none of the rules apply because A is falling for Rhiannon and she won’t leave A’s mind even after A has left Justin’s body…

“Son” by Lois Lowry
In this new branch of the dystopian story started by “The Giver“, we follow the life of Claire, a birthmother in Jonas’s community. When Claire gives birth and her baby is taken from her, we see the first signs of emotion from someone besides Jonas in the community. In this riveting tale about the strength of a mother’s love, you’ll be whisked through an epic adventure of good vs. evil that explores the concepts of freedom, love, and sacrifice.

“I Hunt Killers” by Barry Lyga
Jazz is the son of an infamous serial killer and has witnessed crime scenes from the killer’s point of view. So when a body is discovered, Jazz wants to use the skills he knows to help find the killer. However, he’s not just trying to prove to other people that he’s not like his father; he’s also trying to prove it to himself despite what he already knows.

“Pushing the Limits” by Katie McGarry
Echo is a high school girl with “freaky” scars on her arms and no memory of how it happened. Noah is the high school stoner who uses girls and has no future. Over the course of their senior year, their lives will intersect in a way they never could have imagined, going through a journey that will prove to themselves and each other that they are more than what their reputations demand.

“The False Prince” by Jennifer Nielsen
In a faraway land, civil war is brewing. To unify his kingdom’s divided people, a nobleman named Conner devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him on the throne. Four orphans are forced to compete for the role, including a defiant and clever boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point — he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. His rivals have their own agendas as well, so Sage must trust no one and keep his thoughts hidden. As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner’s sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of lies unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that may very well prove more dangerous than all the lies taken together.

“Between the Lines” by Jodi Picoult
Delilah is a lonely, straight-A, freshman student who is shunned by nearly everyone at her school except for her punk best friend, Jules. Her mother pushes her to get out more by making her join the swim team even though she always gets last place. Her father left her for another family and never visits. So it’s no wonder she would rather spend her days reading. She finds a fairy tale that she can’t stop reading and falls in the love with the prince of the story. Too bad he’s not real … or is he?

“Falling Kingdoms” by Morgan Rhodes
War is brewing and unrest is widespread. The breaking point is a single incident in the dying nation of Paelsia. While three kingdoms battle for power, four young people find themselves greatly affected by it as they experience things like betrayal and war.

“Insurgent” by Veronica Roth
In the sequel to “Divergent“, Tris Prior is safe at the Amity compounds with her fellow survivors. With the whole city at war with itself and Jeannine looking for all the Divergent, Tris must learn to embrace her own divergence and understand it, though it might prove a dangerous task.

“Immortal City” by Scott Speer
The Immortal City: where guardian angels only protect the richest people and it’s the hottest, trendiest thing to be an angel. Maddy doesn’t quite understand what all the hype on angels is about, but when the most desired angel, Jacks, asks her for help, she finds out more about angels than she ever expected possible. Soon after, they immediately fall in love. But when someone threatens this love, what will they do about it?

“The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater
The Raven Boys is a thrilling adventure that captures you and takes you down the supernatural path with a daring girl named Blue, four complicated guys, and one life-altering quest and mystery of finding the Glendower King. Check out our staff review of this title!

“Code Name Verity” by Elizabeth Wein
Verity is held captive by the Gestapo in 1943. She is told to reveal the secrets of the pilot who brought her to France or face the brutal consequences. As she does this, she weaves a story of an unlikely friendship and the bonds formed by it. Their tales intertwined form a suspenseful, breathtaking narrative of espionage — hope — horror — and friendship that spans untold secrets!