What a Library Move Looks Like...

So,  for the last two weeks or so,  our library has been physically moving to a temporary location so that they'll be able to build is a brand-new library in our original location.  Needless to say,  this process had involved a little madness amidst the excitement.  Now,  we're almost set to open in our new temporary home and I finally have some time to share (At least through some pics) what some of the process was like!

Enjoy!

We spent weeks packing as much as we could ahead of time, then had to take a week to pack while we were closed so that the movers could take the books, etc. over to our temporary library.  Then they had to start assembling our shelving and putting everything back in order!

Then we did our best to help out with the things we could...cleaning, shelf-reading to make sure the books are in order, etc...

...and of course, we tried to have a little fun in there, too!

So now we're in our final week before we reopen in our temporary location and we'll be making sure absolutely everything is where it belongs, organizing our desks, and basically recovering from a few crazy weeks! Phew. Amazing now that there's light at the end of that moving tunnel, LOL.

As Life Speeds Up...So the Blogging Slows Down...

So, if you follow this blog, you know that in the past few years, I've been a pretty regular blogger.  I posted reviews or some kind of fun, mostly bookish related post at least four times a week...and that didn't use to seem hard.

Right now, though, my life has gotten quite a bit busier!  My posts have slowed WAY down and honestly, I'm trying to make myself okay with that for a while.

A few months ago, I let you all know that I got a promotion at work. I'm the Adult Services Supervisor which means that I'm on the management team at my Library and what you may not know is that we're getting a new Library building.  YAY, right?

There's always a but, LOL.

Anyway, in order to get our new building, we have to move to a temporary location so that they can tear down the majority of our building to build a brand-new one on the same spot.  (We are keeping our historic wing, but that's it.)

So...we're moving in about a month and the process to get out of our current building and into the temporary one is well, a little insane! My life has turned into a series of meetings, question and answer sessions with staff and patrons, press releases, and the endless self-doubt routine of knowing that I've forgotton SOMETHING.

By the time I get home at night, I'm exhausted.  Can't even process some nights. No conversation, no reading...just bad television and hoping the dinner I fed my husband was fully cooked.

So, my reading has slowed down, my ability to form coherent sentences has disappeared, and any possible remaining energy has gone towards something mindless. (Or pie, LOL, which apparently my stomach has lied to my brain about, convincing the gray matter that it's a mindless activity in the interest of deliciousness...) In case you all care, my house is also a little...less clean...than usual, owing to my general exhaustion. Fun, right?

I'm hoping that once we've moved into our temporary location and have settled into a new routine by mid-March that I'll get back to life as usual.  Until then, my blogging may continue to be a little sporadic and less intellectual sounding due to general brain mush.

I hope you can all forgive me!

Why So Silent?? A NEW JOB...That's why!

SO...you may have noticed that I haven't posted for more than two weeks. 

TWO WEEKS!

That's one of the longest quiet periods on my blog, well...ever.

I'm so sorry, I left you all hanging, BUT...I had a really excellent reason for my "radio silence."

As of November 12th, I officially became the Adult Services Supervisor at my Library.  A huge promotion with lots of new responsibilities and exciting duties...and well, some adjustment has definitely been in order. 

So, I took a little break to just sort of get some things under my belt at work.  Not that I haven't still been reading a ton at home, but I just had too many things rolling around in my brain to sit down long enough to blog.  

I also finished up my state award nomination reading committee last week, so now (aside from the review books I get from SLJ, VOYA, and AudioFile), I'll be able to READ WHATEVER I WANT!!!!!!

I missed that anticipatory feeling of being able to lazily wander bookshelves until something just screamed out "read me!" I have so many books I want to get to...but the best part is... I can just get to them whenever I feel like it. Amazeballs.

So, you should be hearing a lot more from me now...I'm hoping to revitalize the blog a little bit. Spruce it up. Ramp up the fun.  It's gonna be a whole new year soon!  Gotta make the blog match what I'd like to think I look like professionally now:

Well, maybe not quite that chic...but, hey, it gives me something to aim for right?  

Lots of love to you all for sticking with me through thick and thin... and here's to the beginning of new, great things!!

The Wells Bequest

The Wells Bequest 
by Polly Shulman
Companion to The Grimm Legacy 

Publication date: June 13, 2013

Leo never imagined that time travel might really be possible, or that the objects in H. G. Wells’ science fiction novels might actually exist. And when a miniature time machine appears in Leo’s bedroom, he has no idea who the tiny, beautiful girl is riding it. But in the few moments before it vanishes, returning to wherever—and whenever—it came from, he recognizes the other tiny rider: himself!

His search for the time machine, the girl, and his fate leads him to the New-York Circulating Material Repository, a magical library that lends out objects instead of books. Hidden away in the Repository basement is the Wells Bequest, a secret collection of powerful objects straight out of classic science fiction novels: robots, rockets, submarines, a shrink ray—and one very famous time machine. And when Leo’s adventure of a lifetime suddenly turns deadly, he must attempt a journey to 1895 to warn real-life scientist Nikola Tesla about a dangerous invention. A race for time is on! (Description from Amazon.com) 

I LOVED The Grimm Legacy. The idea of a library that houses object, fairy tale objects even!, that can be lent out to the public. OMG, I would have died to have this be a real thing...to work there, AWESOME! In fact, here's a snippet from my review: 

I loved this book...really loved it. I borrowed it from the library, but I think I'll be purchasing this one so that I can read it again. As a Librarian, I was tickled pink with both the setting and premise of this book. As a fantasy lover, the plot rocked. While I was reading, all I could think was that when I'd been a tween this probably would have become my absolute new favorite book. 

To say that I was both stoked and utterly nervous to read a companion book was sort of an understatement. I wasn't quite sure that Shulman could recreate the fabulous experience I had reading the first book...and yet, I think I might have enjoyed this one EVEN more!! 

You all know that I love science fiction.  This second book delves into all sort of science fiction wonders, centering mostly around H.G. Wells and Nikola Tesla. Time travel, cool robots, electricity, and pneumatic tubes... I really loved how Shulman was able to incorporate all of these science/tech-y things without making it too overwhelmingly hard for a reader to understand.  

There's time travel, danger, death ray threats, romance, and the coolest Library EVAH! Check it out.  Really, stop by your library and CHECK IT OUT! 

PS - Ever seen the Syfy show, Warehouse 13? If you like these books, you'll like the show, I promise. I just discovered it and I've been devouring its artifact-y goodness for the last three weeks! 

Full disclosure: Review copy received from SLJ 

Happy Halloween!!

Wishing you all

...And don't forget, the Library Sheriff is reminding you to return your books on time... OR ELSE!!! Mwahahaha...

 

I Say, You Say Opposites - Board Book

I Say, You Say Opposites!

by Tad Carpenter

I say "Reading!" You say, "Fun!" Explore the world of opposites with 8 lift-the-flaps.

These colorful, playful books encourage interactive learning through prediction and repetition; but most importantly, they look really fun.--Dr. Robert Needlman, co-founder of Reach Out and Read and author of Dr. Spock's Baby Basics

With I Say, You Say, your little ones can:

• Say new words
• Recognize opposites
• Learn and play!

Show More

Show Less

(description from Amazon.com/back of book)

This is a CUTE book! Not only does it have a great opposites concept, but it is bright, colorful and not scary at all. :)  It has visual clues to help little readers to guess/learn what the opposite is on each page spread.

Not only is this a great example, "I say Short, you say...TALL!" but of course, I had to share the giraffe picture! (In case you didn't know, I'm obsessed with giraffes. :D)

Another example that shows the way the page flaps work:
*Before the flap is turned over...*

*And once the flap is open!*

Absolutely fantastic! Beautiful and functional.  My boss at work is already planning to steal my copy for our regular two-year-old storytime, LOL.  I would highly recommend this book and any others in the series for Library storytimes or one-on-one reading at home! The only caution I would give to parents/gift givers is that the pages are not quite as sturdy as some other board books, so a tough little toddler could tear the flaps... but well worth picking up and keeping in a safe place until reading time!

Full disclosure: Received from Little, Brown for Young Readers for review

The Grimm Legacy

The Grimm Legacy
by Polly Shulman

What if Fairy Tale magic really existed?

Lonely at her new school, Elizabeth takes a job at the New-York Circulating Material Repository, hoping to make new friends as well as some cash. The repository is no ordinary library. It lends out objects rather than books - everything from tea sets and hockey sticks to Marie Antoinette's everyday wig.

It's also home to the Grimm Collection, a secret room in the basement. That's where powerful items straight out of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales are locked away: seven-league boots, a table that produces a feast at the blink of an eye, Snow White's stepmother's sinister mirror that talks in riddles and has a will of its own.

When the magical items start to disappear, Elizabeth and her new friends embark on a dangerous quest to catch the thief before they're accused of the crime themselves - or the thief captures them.
(description taken from inside jacket copy)

I loved this book...really loved it. I borrowed it from the library, but I think I'll be purchasing this one so that I can read it again. As a Librarian, I was tickled pink with both the setting and premise of this book. As a fantasy lover, the plot rocked. While I was reading, all I could think was that when I'd been a tween this probably would have become my absolute new favorite book.

The description of Elizabeth's new job is really cool. The Repository is a fascinating place, even without the "magical" collections. I love decorative arts items, things like furniture, clothing, jewelry, sculptures...all of the "things" that represent daily life in a culture's art. The idea of being able to run through stacks of objects like these...so cool!!

The idea of a Grimm Collection...even cooler. The objects that Shulman inserts into the story are fun, interesting, and actually fit realistically into the plot of the story, which was really well done. I'd been worried that a lot of things would just be described and then passed by, but almost all of them are actually used by the characters!

The relationships that build between the teens working at the Repository are rich and complex. At first, they are all friendly, then they all become suspicious of each other as objects begin disappearing, and its not until they are forced to work together to solve the mystery and do some rescuing that they are brought together and they determine who really is trustworthy.

A very, very well done, fun read. Great for anyone who loves magic and the idea of being able to live in a fairy tale...even for just a short while!

In My Mailbox - August 22, 2010

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

In the Mail:

It's a Book by Lane Smith

From the Library:

Scumble by Ingrid Law

Keys to the Repository by Melissa De La Cruz

Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl

Fang by James Patterson

Changeless by Gail Carriger

How did you do this week?

Fallen

Fallen

by Lauren Kate

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Swiss & Cross Boarding School in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce -- and goes out of his way to make that very clear -- she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret...even if it kills her.

This book came out around the same time as Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. I happened to read that one first, and had to wait forever for my name to go through the hold list at the library for Fallen. I am so glad I waited!! I was disappointed in Hush, Hush - it was too stalker-iffic feeling for me...(see my review here).

When I read Fallen I was so much happier with the relationship between Daniel and Luce. Partially it may be due to the set up...readers are clued into the fact that something goes wrong whenever Daniel and Luce are together. They have a star-crossed love. As much as Daniel treats Luce poorly at the beginning, it was obvious that it was straining him. He saves her life repeatedly and once he gives into her, they have some steamy passion!

I liked the allusions to the biblical stuff about the fallen angels and the fact that readers get the outline of a story, but not everything is yet revealed. This is definitely the set-up for more books and I LOVE IT. I cannot wait to read Torment.