The Selector’s Selections: July 2022

Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2022 by Brianna

How’s that To Be Read pile looking? Dangerously low? Now’s your chance to squeeze in as much reading as you can before school starts back up, but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Not gonna lie, most of my picks this month have some romance, but if that’s not your thing I’ve also got a thriller with an unreliable narrator.

Into the Sublime” by Kate A. Boorman

In case you couldn’t guess from the cover, this is the thriller. The story begins at the ending, as three girls emerge from a cave. Two are immediately rushed to the hospital, one is covered in blood that isn’t hers, and begins to tell their story to the police. And one girl is missing. The four of them were part of a thrill-seeking group that was following local legends about an underground lake. Rumor says that anyone who faces their greatest fear at the lake will have something big changed for them. The story unravels as it unfolds, with an increasingly untrustworthy narrator and claustrophobic psychological and supernatural horror. Pair this book with a trip to the Devil’s Icebox trail and Connor’s Cave if you really want the full experience. Continue reading “The Selector’s Selections: July 2022”

Reader Reviews: Fantasy Edition

Posted on Thursday, July 7, 2022 by Megan

Summer reading is in full swing and we are getting tons of recommendations from our teen readers! Here are a few books highlighting our teens’ favorite fantasy novels. Warning: Some of these books may be part of a series so you may need to do some catch-up reading before you dive into one of these recommended reads.

Image of "Song of the Current" book cover with 5 stars and a pink and purple cloud background. Continue reading “Reader Reviews: Fantasy Edition”

Celebrate Juneteenth With Some Black Books!

Posted on Friday, June 17, 2022 by Stellan Harris

Happy Juneteenth everyone! There’s a very high likelihood that this Juneteenth might be only the first or second time you’ve celebrated, but that’s no reason not to partake in the festivities. This holiday, only recognized widely within the last few years, was established to commemorate the emancipation of the enslaved Black Americans and as a day to celebrate the influence and contributions that Black Americans have made to the culture and history of the United States. The list of Black people who have had an impact on this country is far, far too long to list, but the influence of many of these figures is felt even to this very day. It is especially important in times like these, where racism and violence against the Black community, both individual and institutional, is once again on the rise, that we can take a day to celebrate both all that we have achieved and all the struggles that have been overcome on the way here. With that in mind we here at DBRL have put together a book list that contains a variety of titles related to the holiday, from stories around reconstruction and the end of slavery, to stories centering Black characters in a variety of settings, to the lingering effects of emancipation in the modern day, and even a few collections of recipes you could give a shot for the holiday. You can find our book list at the link here.  No matter what draws your eye, we at DBRL hope that you have a wonderful Juneteenth weekend!

The Selector’s Selections: May 2022

Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 by Brianna

Summer is almost here! I hope that means you’ll have some more time to read for fun. Or maybe you already have lots of time to read for fun! Or maybe you’re like me and read while you’re walking to your car because you don’t actually have time to read but still really want to. Anyway. These May new releases are books you’ll want to make time for!

Love Radio” by Ebony Ladelle

Dani Ford is a senior in high school, focused on her dreams with no time for love. She wants to be the next great Black writer, but lately, she’s been struggling to write anything. After a traumatic experience at a party last year, Dani has closed herself off from everything and everyone—which doesn’t bode well for finishing her college essays. Prince Jones is also a senior, with dreams of working professionally as a radio DJ. He has his own segment on the popular “Love Radio” where he gives relationship advice to listeners. But with a little brother and mom with advanced multiple sclerosis to take care of at home, Prince hasn’t had time for his own romance. He’s had a crush on Dani since middle school though, so when he gets the chance to ask her out, he has to follow his own advice. Prince bets Dani that he can get her to fall for him in just three dates. It could be that this support is just what they each need to tackle the problems in their lives. This is a heartwarming and genuine love story, with a focus on family and self-love as well as romantic love.

Continue reading “The Selector’s Selections: May 2022”

What to Read if You Loved “Our Flag Means Death”

Posted on Monday, May 16, 2022 by Dana

“Our Flag Means Death” is a runaway success on HBO Max and they have not, at the time of this writing, announced a renewal.

Which is madness.  Unacceptable.  Unfathomable.

So, if you’re desperate for news of a second season and looking to fill the void, I have some suggestions!

There are a host of reasons to love OFMD, and whatever your fancy is, there are books to match. Continue reading “What to Read if You Loved “Our Flag Means Death””

Books to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month!

Posted on Monday, May 9, 2022 by Stellan Harris

Firework SparklerHappy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! It is that time of year where we look at all the contributions and achievements of our friends and family in the AAPI community, both past and present. In the face of the recent marked increase in violence against Asian Americans it is more important than ever to recognize the many ways that they have helped to shape our modern world for the better. With that in mind, DBRL has created a list of titles that feature AAPI characters and stories, including some graphic novels and memoirs from a variety of voices and backgrounds. You can click here to access that books list. We’d also like to bring attention to a number of other events and resources provided by the Library of Congress and related organizations, which will be hosting a number of talks and events related to notable figures and events in honor of the heritage month. You can find the website and schedule for those events at the link here, and we hope that your May is beautiful, enjoyable, and full of great books!

Books We Love: Young Oracle Tarot

Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 by Megan

Book cover art for Young Oracle Tarot

Are you curious about tarot and don’t know where to start? Or are you looking for a creative way to do some self-reflection? If that sounds like you, then check out “Young Oracle Tarot: An Initiation Into Tarot’s Mystic Wisdom” by Suki Ferguson. This beautifully illustrated book is laid out in an easy-to-understand format. It begins with an explanation of tarot and how to read the cards. Spoiler alert: Tarot cards won’t predict your future. They are for you to ruminate and reflect on your own feelings and decisions. Continue reading “Books We Love: Young Oracle Tarot”

The Selector’s Selections: April 2022

Posted on Friday, April 15, 2022 by Brianna

As promised, I’ve got a nice mix of titles for you this month! We’ve got comedic horror, romance, thrillers, fantasy and straight sci-fi. April always feels like an interminable month to me (even though it’s my birthday month), so hopefully these books can help you make it to May!

Scout’s Honor” by Lily Anderson

Prudence Perry is a Ladybird Scout, just like her mother and grandmother before her. The Scouts are known for knitting, tea parties, and community service. What isn’t widely known is their most important community service: slaying interdimensional monsters that feed on human emotions until they evolve and feed on human flesh. Three years ago Pru lost her best friend on a hunt and is still suffering from PTSD and anxiety about it. She wants out, but the only way is to drink the Tea of Forgetting, which Pru doesn’t have access to until she graduates to be a Ladybird Dame. All she needs to do to graduate is train a batch of new recruits—and help them survive. This book is full of fun, campy horror, but what I really love is the discussion about mental health. Continue reading “The Selector’s Selections: April 2022”

March Madness Champion Announced!

Posted on Monday, April 4, 2022 by Dana

After two months of nail-biting competition, teens from all over our service area have voted on 16 of the most popular teen titles and narrowed them down to our 2022 March Madness Book Tournament Champion!

The head-to-head competition has been fierce and we’re ready to announce the winner!

Many thanks to the teachers and school librarians who have supported this program, and to all the teens who have participated! Teens who voted were added to a drawing for cool prizes and we’ll be contacting them soon.

And now, our 2022 champion is….

Continue reading “March Madness Champion Announced!”