Holly Black coming to the Teen Room on September 5!

Holly Black will be appearing in the Teen Room on Thursday, September 5 at 7:00PM to talk about her chilling new novel (hee!) The Coldest Girl in Coldtown.

 

 

You think vampires are played out?  Ms. Black once again shows us how it's done with her fresh and freaksome take on these bloodsuckers.  Nary a sparkle in sight, thank you very much.  Black returns to the world she created in the short story of the same name, where the detente between humans and vampires has led to the creation of "coldtowns" and an explosion of gruesome reality television.

 

 

If you're one of those shy types who can't think of a question for an author*, check this out!



Coldtown will be on our shelves on September 3!  With no school on Thursday, that leaves you plenty of time to read the book, take a nap, eat some bacon-n-cheese fries and come to the library for a super evening!



*It's okay, she won't bite you ;)  You could also ask her about the vampire Barbies.

Holly Black coming to the Teen Room on September 5!

Holly Black will be appearing in the Teen Room on Thursday, September 5 at 7:00PM to talk about her chilling new novel (hee!) The Coldest Girl in Coldtown.

 

 

You think vampires are played out?  Ms. Black once again shows us how it's done with her fresh and freaksome take on these bloodsuckers.  Nary a sparkle in sight, thank you very much.  Black returns to the world she created in the short story of the same name, where the detente between humans and vampires has led to the creation of "coldtowns" and an explosion of gruesome reality television.

 

 

If you're one of those shy types who can't think of a question for an author*, check this out!



Coldtown will be on our shelves on September 3!  With no school on Thursday, that leaves you plenty of time to read the book, take a nap, eat some bacon-n-cheese fries and come to the library for a super evening!



*It's okay, she won't bite you ;)  You could also ask her about the vampire Barbies.

Edwidge Danticat in the New York Times

If you haven't heard yet, Edwidge Danticat's new novel, Claire of the Sea Light, is this year's Cambridge READS book.  Claire of the Sea Light will be out on August 27.


Like so many great writers, Danticat is also a great reader.  In this recent interview she talks about her personal relationship with books, and which authors she wishes she could meet.

Edwidge Danticat in the New York Times

If you haven't heard yet, Edwidge Danticat's new novel, Claire of the Sea Light, is this year's Cambridge READS book.  Claire of the Sea Light will be out on August 27.


Like so many great writers, Danticat is also a great reader.  In this recent interview she talks about her personal relationship with books, and which authors she wishes she could meet.

Fierce Reads, Fantastic Authors, Fabulous Event!

This Saturday's Fierce Reads event with Gennifer Albin, Anna Banks, Leigh Bardugo, Jessica Brody, and Emmy Laybourne brought a big crowd to the Teen Room.  The authors, who have been tirelessly touring for the past few weeks, were a funny and smart crowd and had great advice for writers.

If you missed this event, you can still check out the books here in the Teen Room!  You can also read this exclusive interview over at Ticket to Anywhere.

I never get tired of hearing about how an author writes his or her books.  There is no one way to tell a story or to put it on paper, and that alone is inspiring.

Fierce Reads author event June 15

This Saturday is our big event as we welcome the Fierce Reads tour to the Teen Room!  Gennifer Albin (Crewel), Anna Banks (Of Triton), Leigh Bardugo (Siege and Storm), Jessica Brody (Unremembered) and Emmy Laybourne (Monument 14: Sky on Fire) are psyched to talk about their newest books, answer your questions, and sign books. 

We have all kinds of cool Fierce Reads giveaways that you won't want to miss!  And of course we've got extra copies of the books here at the library, but they are going fast -- stop by soon if you want to check these out before the event.
 
Saturday, June 15
2:00PM
Teen Room, Main Library
449 Broadway

Guest Post: Teen Advisory Board

Here's what Marshall thinks about that:

*****

Congratulations to the Graduating class of 2013. As everyone rides the euphoria of never having to go to High School ever again, there are all sorts of cool things going on in the Library.

First, some cool authors who are on tour to support their books are stopping by the teen lounge for a bit. Their books are already making waves around the US and they have hardcore bookworms jumping up and down waiting for the books to launch.

Also of interest in the library community is Stephen King's highly anticipated book, Joyland, which is about a teenager who works at a Carnival and is confronted by a psychopath murderer. Sounds interesting. Then of course, having been on shelves for a while now are the latest books in the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead and the Embrace series by Jessica Shirvington. Indigo Spell for Bloodlines and Emblaze for the Embrace series. Both series are fantastic and fans of the series are going to be excited.









As if that's not enough, Vampire Academy also has a movie coming out with a release date of Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 2014. I'm excited for it. There's a full cast list and everything.

Things to look out for in the future include the 4th Bloodlines novel in November of 2013, the 4th Embrace novel in October 2013, and a sequel to what was arguably Stephen King's Best book of all time The Shining. A lot of talk goes on in the book world if you just listen.

But remember that the most important part of this is to get you reading. Now that school's out for the seniors and everyone else isn't too far behind, now's the chance to read the books you want to read, and not the ones the school makes you read. So go on and find something out there to enjoy.

Until next time.

Guest Post: Teen Advisory Board

It's back!  The TAB guest post, and oh, how we missed it.

*****

Hello World! This is Khalil speaking, today I have the pleasure of reviewing a book for you. Said book is called Monument 14. Monument 14 is a book, set in the future, about the end of the world. Here’s the setup: 14 kids, 6 highschoolers; 2 middleschoolers; 6 little kids, are trapped in a mall, after hiding in the mall to escape giant hail. While they are in the mall they find out the storm was much bigger than they originally thought. In fact it included a megatsunami and a REALLY big earthquake. Unfortunately for them, a chemical weapons facility near them has been damaged to, and is now starting to leak. You can imagine the trouble they are in now. I won’t spoil the rest for you. I hope you pick it up, have a nice read.

 *****

Thanks Khalil!  And guess what?  Emmy Laybourne, the author of Monument 14 and its sequel, Monument 14: Sky on Fire, will be HERE in the Teen Room on Saturday, June 15 at 2:00PM.  Don't miss it!

Sara Zarr coming to the Teen Room!

National Book Award Finalist Sara Zarr visits the Teen Room with her new release, The Lucy Variations. Be sure to check out all of Sara’s gripping novels in the Teen Room!

When, when when?!?
Monday, May 13
7:00PM
 Co-sponsored by Porter Square Books.



You can read an interview with Sara Zarr from Publisher's Weekly here.





More about The Lucy Variations:

"It could be a depressing thing to believe, at sixteen, that your best years were behind you. Especially when the people closest to you seemed to agree.

Lucy Beck-Moreau once had a promising future as a concert pianist. The right people knew her name, her performances were booked months in advance, and her future seemed certain.

That was all before she turned fourteen.

Now, at sixteen, it’s over. A death, and a betrayal, led her to walk away. That leaves her talented ten-year-old brother, Gus, to shoulder the full weight of the Beck-Moreau family expectations. Then Gus gets a newpiano teacher who is young, kind, and interested in helping Lucy rekindle her love of piano—on her own terms. But when you’re used to performing for sold-out audiences and world-famous critics, can you ever learn to play just for yourself?

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr takes readers inside the exclusive world of privileged San Francisco families, top juniormusic competitions, and intense mentorships. The Lucy Variations is a story of one girl’s struggle to reclaim her love of music, and herself. It’s about finding joy again, even when things don’t go according to plan. Because life isn’t a performance, and everyone deserves the chance to make a few mistakes along the way."

Ruta Sepetys returning to the Cambridge Public Library!

With her new book,
Out of the Easy.

When?
Thursday, March 7 at 1:30PM

Where?

Lecture Hall, Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway




But wait, there's more!  Josie, the protagonist of Out of the Easy, is a young girl with dreams of getting into college and changing her life.  To honor this dream, Penguin is holding an essay contest with a $5000 scholarship prize!

Don't miss either of these awesome opportunities!  We can't keep the book on our shelves, so if you'd like to read a copy, hurry over and let us know.

May Isn't Over Yet

May has been the month of awesome authors visiting the Teen Room, and it's not over yet! A week from today (Tuesday, May 29 at 4pm) debut author JESSE ANDREWS is coming to talk about his hilarious first book Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.

The book is super funny (and sad, but FUNNY), and it should be a total blast. Drop by the Teen Room and grab a copy to check out yoursef, and we'll see you there!

"this is teen" event TODAY in the Teen Room!

FOUR YA authors
here to talk to YOU about
their books -- at 3:00
today.

Elizabeth Eulberg (Take a Bow)
Kim Harrington (Perception)
Francisco X. Stork (Irises)
Kathryn Lasky  (Daughters of the Sea series)

 

 

May 1: Kristin Cashore

Photo credit: Leslie Feagley, 2011.

I repeat: KRISTIN CASHOOOOOOOOOORE!

Yes, you heard right -- the renowned author of Graceling and Fire is debuting the long-desired Bitterblue here at your very own Cambridge Public Library on  
Tuesday, May 1 at 6:00PM.  We are holding the event in the lecture hall because we expect it to be tremenjous, so show up early to get your seat!

Read on for more info...

BITTERBLUE
Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the legacy of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. At 18 years old, Bitterblue is only just beginning to realize the scope of her responsibility—having relied heavily on her advisers to run the kingdom. But after she begins sneaking out at night to visit storyhouses and meeting sweet Teddy and dangerously sexy Sapphire, two thieves who only steal what has already been stolen, she starts realizing that she is surrounded by lies and there’s no way to know how far they extend. With no one to trust, how can Bitterblue find out what’s really going on in her own kingdom, and how can she help everyone to heal from the 35-year spell cast by a madman? Read an excerpt here: http://gracelingrealm.com/excerpt_bitterblue.html

Kristin Cashore received her master's degree in children's literature in 2003 from Simmons College, where she was named a Virginia Haviland Scholar. She lives in Cambridge, MA. Bitterblue features ciphers and codes and even an entirely new language and alphabet which Kristin created with a professional linguist. Visit the Graceling realm: http://gracelingrealm.com/

Ruta Sepetys appearing Tuesday, April 3

The Teen Room is proud to be hosting Ruta Sepetys, author of the acclaimed debut novel, Between Shades of Gray! 

This event will be in the CPL lecture hall at 1:30PM -- if your class is going to be visiting, way to go -- I think it is going to be a moving and provocative presentation about a lesser known but devastating part of history.

The daughter of a Lithuanian refugee, Ms. Sepetys's debut novel is an account of Stalin's cleansing of the Baltic region as seen through the eyes of 15-year-old Lina. 

It is a difficult book to read.  Lina and her family endure horrific conditions; it is incredible that people survived these ordeals.  As the following video shows, it was also a difficult story to tell.

Ruta Sepetys discusses her upcoming novel, Between Shades of Gray from Penguin Young Readers Group on Vimeo.




Porter Square Books will have books available for purchase and autographing at the event.  See you there!

Speaking of romance...

Jane Austen is the ORIGINAL bring-the-swoon lady, yo!  Why is she still such a force after all these years?  Not only are her books continuing to be made into films and television miniseries, but they have been lovingly adapted in countless novels.

Well now three young adult authors, no strangers to bringing the swoon themselves, are going to analyze the matter.  You can tune in and hear Shannon Hale, E. Lockhart, and Elizabeth Eulberg tonight at 8:00PM over at Figment!

If you are looking for some Jane tributes, check one of these out:
Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik
Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James


And if you're looking for a contender to Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy, check out Richard Armitage in North and South.  If your laptop doesn't burst into flames from the repressed Victorian lovepants action, then it's already broken.

John and Hank Green going on tour...

...to promote John Green's new book, The Fault in Our Stars.  Publishers Weekly gives more details, and the tour schedule is up on John's web page.

Click to read the first two chapters of The Fault in Our Stars and participate in the read-it-or-not forums!




The Boston event is listed as sold out, but you never know...those Green brothers are dedicated to their fellow Nerdfighters.

The Exquisite Conversation

Image credit: The Manor Arts

If you have ever played the game Exquisite Corpse, Gentle Reader, then imagine the same principle applied to a story.  A superstar team of writers put their pens to paper to bring you The Exquisite Corpse Adventure and you can hear all about it on Saturday, December 3 at 1:00 PM.

M. T. Anderson, Natalie Babbitt, Susan Cooper, Timothy Basil Ering, Steven Kellogg, Patricia MacLachlan, James Ransome, and Katherine Paterson will be at Kresge Auditorium at MIT and the event is free, free, free!

Shaq at the Harvard Book Store -- FREE event!

Pictured here out of uniform, because let's
not have to choose sides...HUGS!*

He will be signing copies of his new book, Shaq Uncut: My Story, this Saturday, November 19, beginning at 1:00!



















*while it is my duty as a Bostonian to hate on New York and Los Angeles, I'm not gonna do that here.

ONE week to THREE authors!

Mark your calendars, because on Wednesday, November 16 at 5:00 pm we are hosting three debut young adult authors right here in your very own Teen Room!

Leigh Fallon, Carrier of the Mark

Instantly drawn to a mysterious, alluring boy in her class, teenaged Megan, an American living in Ireland, discovers that they are linked by a supernatural destiny that gives them powers Megan never knew she possessed.

  

  

 
Amalie Howard, Bloodspell

Meet Victoria Warrick: a high school outcast who learns on her 17th birthday that she’s actually a witch with an unimaginable power – and that her blood is literally her enemy. Victoria must fight for her life as friends turn their backs on her and new people in her life aren’t so easy to trust, including the dazzling but enigmatic Christian Devereux, who has a sinister secret of his own.

Joe Lunievicz, Open Wounds
Follow the adventures of Cedric "Cid" Wymann through the first 15 years of his life in New York city during the 1930s and 1940s . Orphaned as a child, Cid is taken from the orphanage at 13 by a distant relative from England, a shell-shocked survivor of the First World War with a ruined face and crippled body, who offers Cid the only family love he's ever known.

Screening of Restrepo tomorrow night; Sebastian Junger next week!

Sebastian Junger, author of WAR, will be speaking at Sanders Theatre on Tuesday October 25th at 7:30 PM.  The library has FREE tickets for this event.  We are also holding a free screening of the documentary Restrepo, this Thursday, October 20 at 6:30 PM

For over a year, Junger and photojournalist
Tim Hetherington were embedded with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in the remote and heavily contested Korengal Valley of eastern Afghanistan.

The professional result was twofold: the book, WAR and the documentary, Restrepo - winner of the 2010 Grand Jury Prize at the
Sundance Film Festival and Academy Award
Nominee for Best Documentary.