Archive for Booksellers Diary

Authors We Love: A.S. King

April 10, 2013 at 6:46 am · Filed under Adult fiction and non-fiction, Ages 14 and Up, Award Winners, Booksellers Diary ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

I love books that stand on their own. I do. Sometimes I could care less what else an author has written. I’ve found a book I love, and all others can step aside.

But there are certain authors who I find fascinating because their entire body of work tells a unique story. So, in this blog series, I’ll be chatting about some of my favorite writers and their works as a whole.

AS King author photo

A.S. King (Amy Sarig King)

Born: Pennsylvania, USA

Genre: realistic YA fiction (with the occasional magical twist)

Coming soon: Reality Boy (Oct. 2013)

Please Ignore Vera Dietz; Ember; 9.99; pub. Oct. 2010

Opening line: “Before I died, I hid my secrets in the Master Oak. This book is about my best friend, Vera Dietz, who eventually found them.”

First A.S. King I read! Reminiscent of Laurie Halse Anderson. A complicated, affecting examination of grief and guilt. This story grabs hold and stays with you. A 2011 Printz Honor Book.

Everybody Sees the Ants; Little, Brown; 9.99; pub. Oct. 2011

Opening line: “All I did was ask a stupid question.”

My favorite of King’s novels. Lucky Linderman is the ultimate underdog, victim of relentless bullying, undefended by his father, and dreamer of strange dreams involving his long-lost POW/MIA granddad. Lucky’s humor buoys this masterful book. I didn’t want it to end.

Dust of 100 Dogs; Flux; 9.95; pub. Feb. 2009

Opening line: “Imagine my surprise when, after three centuries of fighting with siblings over a spare furry teat and licking my water from a bowl, I was given a huge human nipple, all to myself, filled with warm mother’s milk.”

A close second to Ants in my mind. King is at her magically-realistic best here, managing to make a story about pirates, reincarnation, revenge, and true love work brilliantly. It’s far from fluff, but I’ve been recommending this as a beach read, simply because all you’ll want to do is lie in the sun and tear through it as quickly as possible.

Ask the Passengers; Little, Brown; 17.99; pub. Oct. 2012

Opening line: “Every airplane, no matter how far it is up there, I send love to it. I picture the people in their seats with their plastic cups of soda or orange juice or Scotch, and I love them.”

A delightful story about coming of age and coming out, but mostly about love in its many forms. King avoids the possible cliches of small-town life, instead focusing on protagonist Astrid’s tricky navigation of romance and family. Also, have I mentioned that A.S. King is awesome at naming characters?

Those who have been following this blog for a while will know this isn’t the first time I’ve fangirled out over Ms. King. I blogged about her love of indies back in July. Yeah, I’ve got a pretty big author crush going.

Read on, readers!

Miss Megan

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Lisa Graff’s ‘A Tangle Of Knots’ will get you tangled up in a great story

March 18, 2013 at 1:09 pm · Filed under Ages 8 and up, Booksellers Diary ·Tagged , , ,

A Tangle of Knots Book CoverA great magical story where no one dies; no one is scarily evil; and the magic of the characters consists of everyday activities: being good at knitting, baking or, as the title suggests, tying knots.

The very last part is what I loved most about Knots. Everyone has a Talent. Those Talents are things that an everyday, average person could also be good at. Some Talents were useful: baking, and some were mundane: floating two feet off the ground. No one in the story had abilities that you would typically find in a magical story: flying, spell-casting, potion-mixing. This makes this story great for those who want a little bit of magic without too much fantasy. Another aspect of these everyday Talented abilities of the characters serves as a subtle message to the reader. Everyone has a talent; something they are a natural at, you have a talent, too. It could be anything, but you do have a talent.

Knots is great for those readers who are looking for an adventure story without having too many issues to confront or on overly scary evil villain. [SPOILER ALERT] The villain is only good at stealing talents and while mean and selfish, he’s not menacing. No threatening to throw little children off cliffs here. The main characters is an orphan but the fate of her parents, and in particular her mother, is not discussed all that much. No parents who were unfortunately crushed in an freak soup can avalanche or some other tragedy that was brought on by a spell from some evil queen or vindictive king. No one gets locked in a dank, dark tower with rats or spiders either. Nope, the challenges here extend to finding the perfect family for our main character; discovering what kind of cake to bake for a national competition and solving the mystery of just what the Owner of a thrift shop emporium is after as he steals Talents from other characters.

Ms. Graff weaves all these different stories together with amazing seamlessness. She moves back and forth between the characters and action in a fast-pace way that keeps you on edge without getting you lost.

A great read-aloud for folks with good characters and a wholesome, fun story. Fans of stories like The Penderwicks, The Doll People or Ginger Pye will really enjoy this one.

Lisa Graff will be at Hooray For Books! on Friday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m.  There will be CAKE!!

Please call us at 703-548-4092 to reserve your spot.

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Miss Megan’s Five Star Favorites, Part II

March 13, 2013 at 4:14 am · Filed under Adult fiction and non-fiction, Ages 10 - 12, Ages 10 and up, Ages 12 - 14, Ages 12 and up, Ages 14 and Up, Award Winners, Booksellers Diary ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I love middle grade, but more often than not I find myself gravitating to the Young Adult section. There are just such fantastic choices available over there these days! Here are some of my all-time favorites.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery; Penguin; 4.99; Ages 10-adult

Opening line: “Mrs. Rachel Lynde lived just where the Avonlea main road dipped down into a little hollow, fringed with alders and ladies’ eardrops and traversed by a brook that had its source away back in the woods of the old Cuthbert place.”

For fans of: Daddy Long Legs; Betsy-Tacy

Jepp, Who Defied the Stars by Katherine Marsh; Hyperion; 16.99; Ages 12-adult

Opening line: “Being a court dwarf is no easy task. I know because I failed at it.”

For fans of: The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing; David Copperfield

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein; Hyperion; 16.99; Ages 14-adult

Opening line:  ”I AM A COWARD I wanted to be heroic and I pretended I was. I have always been good at pretending.”

For fans of: I Capture the Castle; Flygirl

Chime by Franny Billingsley; Penguin; 8.99; Ages 14-adult

Opening line: “I’ve confessed to everything and I’d like to be hanged. Now, if you please.”

For fans of: The Diviners; Finnikin of the Rock 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak; Knopf (Random House); 12.99; Ages 14-adult

Opening line: “First the colors. Then the humans. That’s usually how I see things. Or at least, how I try.”

For fans of: Milkweed; I Am the Messenger

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith; St. Martin’s; 14.99; Ages 14-adult

Opening line: “I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.”

For fans of: A Brief History of Montmaray; Jane Austen

We try to always have copies of these books on our shelves! Come by and check them out sometime!

Read on, readers!

Miss Megan

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Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

March 4, 2013 at 7:55 am · Filed under Ages 3 - 6, Booksellers Diary ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Award-winning author Tanya Lee Stone (Almost Astronauts, The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie) brings her nonfiction expertise to picture books. In Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? Stone tells the fascinating story of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to graduate from medical school and practice as a doctor. I’m not normally a huge fan of nonfiction picture books, but Stone’s narrative isn’t too long, and it flows like a bedtime story. She leaves the extra facts and specific details for her author’s note, and keeps the text appropriately simple.

Even if I didn’t love the text, I would buy this book based on the illustrations alone. Two-time Caldecott Honor winner, Marjorie Priceman brings the text to life with bright and whimsical illustrations. This book is the perfect introduction to nonfiction for the 3-6 year old crowd.

– Erin

Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Marjorie Price; Henry Holt & Company; $16.99

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New From Ruta Sepetys: Out of the Easy

February 25, 2013 at 7:59 am · Filed under Adult fiction and non-fiction, Ages 14 and Up, Booksellers Diary ·Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

11178225There was a lot of twitter last spring about Ruta Sepetys‘ debut novel, Between Shades of Gray. It also got some buzz for being commonly confused with a certain erotic series that skyrocketed to popularity around the same time. But they’re definitely not the same. Based on research into her own family’s past, Between Shades of Grey is the harrowing story of life in Stalin’s work camps.

So how does an author follow that? By leaving Siberia and heading to New Orleans, that’s how.

Sepetys’ new novel, Out of the Easy, follows Josie, a seventeen-year-old bookworm with hopes of heading to Smith College in the fall. But nothing is simple for the daughter of a prostitute in the 1950s, and when Josie is pulled into the intrigue of a local murder case, it seems like her dreams of escaping the Big Easy may never come true.

I read both Between Shades of Grey and Out of the Easy as advanced reader’s copies, and I can honestly say that they’re both memorable, striking novels that will stay in your head for a while. But, on the whole, I enjoyed Easy a lot more. The plot and several subplots are pretty basic, as it turns out, but that’s okay, because Sepetys has given us an excellent protagonist to drive the story forward. Josie is strong, plucky, resourceful, and extremely likable. I loved that she wasn’t afraid to use her considerable cunning to her advantage. She’s scrappy. I’m a big fan of scrappy heroines.

No, Ruta Sepetys definitely doesn’t shy away from difficult characters and situations. That’s why her stories are so engaging. Out of the Easy is the perfect pick for a lively book club discussion, or just some entertaining, dramatic solo reading. Check it out on our YA shelf!

Read on, readers!

Miss Megan

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys; Philomel (Penguin); 17.99; Ages 14+

P.S. One of the main plot points of the novel follows Josie’s efforts to go to college out East. In keeping with that theme, Penguin is offering an Out of the Easy scholarship contest! Access full rules and a submission form here.

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Okay for Now is an NPR Backseat Book Club Pick!

February 13, 2013 at 11:54 am · Filed under Ages 10 - 12, Ages 10 and up, Ages 12 and up, Booksellers Diary ·Tagged , , , ,

OkayforNowWe loved Gary Schmidt’s Okay for Now! You can read Miss Megan’s glowing review here. And now it’s going to be the next pick for NPR’S Backseat Book Club!

Schmidt will be featured on All Things Considered at the end of February. You can submit questions and comments about Okay for Now on this page.

If you haven’t read Okay for Now yet (it really is as wonderful as everyone says), give us a call or shoot us an email! We’re always happy to put a copy on hold. (703) 548-4092 or info@hooray4books.com.

And if you’re on twitter (follow us @HFBooks!), share your favorite moments, quotes, and musings to @hmhkids and @NPRBackseat using the hashtag #OK4NOW!

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Ages 10-adult

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Adventure Awaits: the Fever Crumb Trilogy by Philip Reeve

February 8, 2013 at 8:18 am · Filed under Ages 10 - 12, Ages 10 and up, Ages 12 - 14, Ages 12 and up, Ages 14 and Up, Booksellers Diary ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

When I’m hand selling a book, I typically have a spiel to introduce a favorite title. For the Fever Crumb trilogy, it usually starts with some version of, “these are really cool futuristic novels with a steampunk flair!”

Then, inevitably, the customer follows up with, “Uh. What’s steampunk?”

Help me out, internet. “Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century.”

If this sounds outside your comfort zone, don’t panic. Author Philip Reeve handles this tricky theme with a deft hand. It’s his own vivid imagination and offbeat characters that carry the day. Victorian-meets-space-age technology is just the cherry on top.

Reeve’s title character, young orphan Fever Crumb, has been raised in the order of Engineers, the last great bastion of logic and reason in the overcrowded city of London. But Fever is no ordinary engineer. For all her training in quashing the weakness of human emotions, she is haunted by strange memories that are not her own. As tensions rise in the city, so does Fever’s confusion over her origins. Is she merely a student of science and understanding? Or is she something more? Something that is, perhaps, not quite human?

The Fever Crumb books were written after Reeve’s Predator Cities quartet as a companion series, they are in fact prequels, and can easily be read first (that’s what I did). If you’re getting tired of the many dystopian series floating about, this is a great alternative that keeps the adventure middle and upper grade readers crave while presenting a fantasy world that feels fresh.

Also, if you love the series, rumor has it there will be more. Keep your eyes peeled!

Read on, readers!

Miss Megan

Fever Crumb trilogy (Fever Crumb, A Web of Air, and Scrivener’s Moon) by Philip Reeve, Scholastic Press

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Miss Megan’s Newbery Picks

January 17, 2013 at 7:01 am · Filed under Ages 8 - 10, Ages 12 - 14, Ages 14 and Up, Ages 10 - 12, Booksellers Diary, Ages 12 and up, Ages 10 and up, Ages 8 and up ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Newbery choices are tough. There are so many great books to choose from, so many rules and various criteria to consider, so many helpful opinions to process. But, in the end, I have to stick with the books that have left the greatest impression on me this year.

True, the Newbery committee doesn’t always pick the same titles I do, but I really think they should. Fingers crossed for 2013!

13531021Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz; Candlewick Press; 17.99; Ages 10-16

I’m rooting for this book so hard! Code Name Verity is my favorite book of the year, but this one’s a close second. Baltimore librarian and previous Newbery medal winner Laura Amy Schlitz dazzles with lush descriptions, hilarious dialogue, and an utterly engrossing setting. I didn’t want this book to end. Brilliantly done.

Liar-and-SpyLiar and Spy by Rebecca Stead; Random House; 15.99; Ages 9-13

A classic mystery in so many ways, but it feels fresh. And disagree if you like, but I prefer this title to Stead’s previous Newbery medal winner, When You Reach Me. The plot flows effortlessly, the characters are endearing and engaging, and the storyline has layers of poignancy and emotion that are handled with just the right amount of restraint. A strong contender for the medal!

jeppJepp, Who Defied the Stars by Katherine Marsh; Hyperion Books; 16.99; Ages 14-adult

The rules for the Newbery dictate that books written for readers up to the age of fourteen can be considered. In that case, Jepp has to be part of the discussion. The title character’s voice was one of the strongest I’ve read this year, and Marsh’s ability to make period fiction feel both historically accurate and fresh for a modern reader is commendable. This one’s a wild card for me, as it’s also a strong choice for the Printz Award, which recognizes achievement in young adult literature.

GypsyMothCover-231x350Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker; Balzer & Bray/Harperteen (HarperCollins); 15.99; Ages 9-12

Pennypacker weaves a story that packs a hefty emotional punch without feeling manipulative or forced. She handles an often overused theme in middle grade fiction—the “unlikely friendship”—in a way that is natural and engaging. I couldn’t get this novel out of my head after I read it. I still can’t! Gypsy Moths is a Newbery dark horse that I’d like to see get some (much deserved) recognition.

9780061992254The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate; Harper; 16.99; Ages 8-12

A moving story of a silverback gorilla’s quest to find a better life for the baby elephant that arrives at his dilapidated zoo. Applegate handles the themes of conservancy and animal welfare with a deft hand, and it is to her credit that she writes both her animal and human characters without judgment. Even the “bad guy,” we discover, has a tender side. What could have been a heavy handed sermon is, instead, a lovely exercise in control.

556133_292317964185422_272218639528688_667024_412677593_nThree Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage; Dial Books for Young Readers; 16.99; Ages 9-12

Like Liar and Spy, this is a mystery that’s more than just a formula. Hilarious prose and a small town full of wonderfully zany folk make this one of the most entertaining middle grade picks this year. The Newbery committee doesn’t always go for humor, but I think they should give it a go this time around. Turnage’s story is utterly fantastic.

Others to watch: Wonder, The Lions of Little Rock, The Great Unexpected

What are your picks for Newbery? Comment and let me know which titles I missed!

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Miss Megan’s Caldecott Picks

January 14, 2013 at 7:49 am · Filed under Ages 3 - 6, Ages 6 - 8, Booksellers Diary ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Caldecott Medal recognizes the best illustrated book of the year, with a couple of honor books rounding out the award. The ALA Youth Media Awards will take place on January 28th in Seattle, but before the winners are announced, we’re collecting our picks.

My favorites are below, along with a brief description of why I think each title is a contender. Let the picture book reading commence!

61SjJtxmIJL._SL500_AA300_Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett, illus. by Adam Rex; Hyperion Book; 16.99

A hilarious discussion of what it means to collaborate, this fourth-wall-breaker is my top pick for the medal. Various techniques make this a fantastic visual feast. The author and his illustrators are claymation-style figures, while the story characters are cartoonish drawings who perform on a more realistically-drawn theater set. Simply put, there’s a lot to look at here, and it’s all awesome!

extra-yarn-coverExtra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illus. by Jon Klassen; Balzer & Bray; 16.99

Yes, Mac Barnett again. What can I say? I’m a fan. This time, the story is gentle and fairytale-esque, and it’s paired with Jon Klassen’s whimsical, folksy illustrations. The graphics are restrained, beautiful, and like the story itself, simple and lovely. The marriage of text and image is near-perfect here, and it’s easy to see why it’s already garnered hefty critical acclaim. One of the strongest contenders for either the medal or an honor.

ThisIsNotMyHat_thumbThis Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen; Candlewick Press; 15.99

I know! I’ve already nominated Jon Klassen! But he totally deserves two mentions, you guys. As my fellow bookseller Erin pointed out, the illustrations are perfect for teaching kids about inference. The text is narrated by one character, but the illustrations follow another. Of all the books on this list, this is the one in which the text and illustrations are the most intertwined—one simply could not exist without the other. And, of course, it’s hilarious, with a (somewhat) ambiguous ending that leaves some things to the imagination. (If you want to know what Jon Klassen said about it when we asked him, give us a call.)

And-Then-Its-Spring-249x300 (1)And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, illus. by Erin E. Stead; Roaring Brook Press; 16.99

Erin Stead’s already a Caldecott medalist for A Sick Day for Amos McGee, and her odds are good this year, too. Some (including my bookseller buddies) would say that Bear Has a Story to Tell has a higher chance for an award, but I’m sticking with my all-time Stead favorite. Her illustrations here are, true to form, both grounded and whimsical, combining realism with flights of fancy. And there are so many layers to find—part of the fun is staring at the spreads, picking out the little details that  a reader might miss with a first glance.

insomniacsThe Insomniacs by Karina Wolf, illus. by The Brothers Hilts; Putnam; 16.99

Debut children’s author Karina Wolf’s story is charming and atmospheric, and moonlight-infused illustrations from The Brothers Hilts (yes, they’re really brothers) elevate this book from a great read aloud to a visually prolific pick—there are oodles of cool details to pore over. Quirky and unique!

51w4iuY55eL._SL500_AA300_Red Knit Cap Girl by Naoko Stoop; Little, Brown; Ages 2-6

Stoop used pieces of wood for the background of her illustrations, so the striations of the rings add a fantastic textural element to each spread. There’s a dreamlike quality here as the color palette shifts from the brilliant rust, yellow, and green of sunset to the deeper twilight hues of indigo, teal, and gold. And against these soft, atmospheric hues stands our little heroine, who pops off the page in her bright red ensemble (and, of course, her red knit cap!). It’s a sumptuous visual feast that fully deserves its place on the New York Times’ Best Illustrated list. 

Others to watch: Bear Has a Story to Tell, Unspoken, Abe Lincoln’s Dream 

What are your picks for Caldecott? Comment and let us know which books you think deserve an award!

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Miss Megan’s Printz Picks

January 11, 2013 at 7:03 am · Filed under Adult fiction and non-fiction, Ages 12 - 14, Ages 12 and up, Ages 14 and Up, Booksellers Diary ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Michael L. Printz Award honors achievement in young adult literature. Since this is probably my favorite age group to read, I’ve had to make some decisions about which books I loved because they appealed to my particular taste, and which ones could be destined for award greatness.

Those few, those happy few, are…

codenameverityCode Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein; Hyperion Books; 16.99; Ages 13-adult

My favorite book of the year, hands down. I can’t rave about this title enough—it’s as close to perfect as any novel I’ve read in recent memory. Yes, there are a couple of minor flaws, but they’re nit-picky and unimportant and I don’t care. For sheer plot intricacy alone, Elizabeth Wein deserves recognition. For compelling characters that made me chortle with laughter one minute and weep (weep!) the next, I say give her the Printz. Give her the Printz right now.

9781419701764_zoomMe and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews; Amulet Books (Abrams); 16.95; Ages 14-adult

I love The Fault in Our Stars, I really do. It deserves the scads of acclaim it has received. But what Earl has that I believe TFIOS lacks is a certain level of character credibility. Greg, Earl, and Rachel feel like teens I might actually meet, while Hazel and Augustus can only exist in the magical world of literature. Andrews is startlingly funny, and his conceit of writing various portions of the story in the format of a screenplay is brilliant. Absolutely deserving of an honor.

Brides-of-Rollrock-IslandThe Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan; Knopf Books for Young Readers (Random House); 17.99; Ages 14-adult

Lanagan walks the fine line between fascination and repulsion with breathtaking precision. There’s an incredible amount of control here—what could be a straight up creepy story becomes an emotionally compelling narrative that refuses to play with black and white judgments of right and wrong. Multiple storytelling perspectives often serve to muddy a plot, and I won’t say that’s untrue here, but it also gives a multidimensional perspective on the strange, magical selkie brides.

jeppJepp, Who Defied the Stars by Katherine Marsh; Hyperion Books; 16.99; Ages 14-adult

This is a book that we could see as a Newbery option, but it has crossover appeal for the Printz, too. Jepp is sixteen, and the issues he faces are often unique to young adulthood. It’s a coming of age story that involves finding true love and following—or fighting—fate. It’s got appeal for readers of multiple ages, but I consider it to be a more appropriate contender for the Printz. Fingers crossed for this wild card!

11801954After the Snow by S.D. Crockett; Feiwel & Friends; 16.99; Ages 13-adult

If the Chaos Walking series had a baby with Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, it might resemble this book. The voice of Willo, the central character of Crockett’s novel, is both strange and engaging. I was haunted by it. After the Snow divides readers into two camps: those who were put off by the voice, and those who found it arresting and creative. I belong to the latter, and I think this title is unique enough to merit some recognition from the Printz committee.

Others to watch: The Diviners, Personal Effects, The Fault in Our Stars, Ask the Passengers

Disagree with me? Comment and tell me which titles should have made the list!

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