Q Road by Bonnie Jo Campbell

Q Road was written before Once Upon a River but takes place after. This story follows Margo's daughter Rachel. After reading Once Upon a River, I promised myself I'd read more by Campbell. I was not disappointed. She is a strong contemporary American author, and her books are as wild and unique as her characters and the land they inhabit. I will definitely be reading more by Bonnie Jo Campbell.

The Enchanter Heir - Cinda Williams Chima

I was so happy when I received this book from Net Galley. I discovered this series after the first three books had already been published. Is there anything better than finding a series you really like and knowing the sequels are ready and available if you want them? I love all things magical and finding this delightful urban fantasy series was a good discovery. Companion books are great. They allow you to catch up with your old friends from previous books, but also expose you to new characters and a whole new story. Enchanter Heir definitely told its own story. This story took some getting into. The first 1/4 of the book moved slowly. I found myself looking forward to hearing more about Emma. Emma is left an orphan when her grandfather, Sonny Lee, is found dead in his guitar shop. Sonny Lee leaves a letter that leads Emma to her father who is still alive and living in Ohio. Slowly, she learns more about her past and the magical guilds. Another story is unfolding simultaneously - the story of the survivors of Thorn Hill. Thorn Hill was a commune in Brazil, a sort of a refuge from the wizards and their oppression. A tragedy strikes Thorn Hill, and all the adults are killed. The children who survived are left damaged to different degrees, many of them becoming gifted in specific ways. These children are called savants. Jonah was a child at Thorn Hill and the tragedy left him gifted with the power to kill. The story really takes off when Emma and Jonah meet. They are obviously attracted to each other, but there are so many factors keeping them apart. If Jonah would just tell Emma the truth, she would probably throw herself in his arms and...wait she can't....hmmm.... I guess we will have to wait and see what happens. The ending is a bit of a cliff hanger.

A Confusing International Tale of Copyright Law and John Green

-If I had a dollar for every time I had a student ask me for a book on copyright law, I wouldn’t be able to buy a small cup of coffee at Second Cup. Let’s face it - copyright law is boring, and it’s also confusing. -I recently read an article in School Library Journal about a complex issue of copyright surrounding author John Green (insert teenage girl squeal here). For those of you who don’t know who John Green is, he is only the most poplar realistic fiction author for young adults right now. His most recent book, The Fault in Our Stars, is on the 2013 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults. He and his brother, Hank, are also the dynamic vlog brothers -- they do short videos ranging from breaking down books like the Great Gatsby to breaking down complex ideas like the debt crisis (Vlog Brothers). John and Hank Green are the inspiration for a group called the nerdfighters (What is a Nerdfighter?), which is popular all over the world. -In the clip below, John Green talks about his attempt at trying to find the creator of a poster that represents Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars. It involves two 16-year-old nerdfighters, one from the Philippines and the other from Norway. His experience is a complex one, and it reveals how copyright laws really haven't caught up with the digital age. His advice, “Until the law gets better, we are going to have to police ourselves.” SLJ Article Click Here -

What happens when technology and old books collide?

I can relate....

Do you ever fall in love with a book and wish the characters were your personal friends?

You know you have a good book when...

I love books that make an insomniac out of me!

This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

The is the story of Victor Frankenstein when he was a teenage boy. Victor's twin brother, Konrad, is dying. Victor and his friends are desperate to heal Konrad. They make frequent trips to the The Dark Library, attempt alchemy and ancient remedies, and consult with a man with a questionable past. This is fascinating interpretation of the young Dr. Frankenstein. It is modern story with plenty of adventure and romance. This is the first book in the series.