Showing posts with label ransom riggs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ransom riggs. Show all posts

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Book Bucket List | Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

A few weeks ago, I wrote about some of the series that have new books coming out this year.  One of them was Ransom Rigg's Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.  The second book in the series, Hollow City, was released earlier this year.  And while I wrote about them, I had never read the actual book so checked it out on my Kindle over our Overdrive app.  I finished it in two days.  It was fantastic and the most I've enjoyed a fantasy book since Harry Potter.  I put myself on the hold list for Hollow City and finished that quickly too. 

Jacob, a self described average teenager, is bored of his life as a privileged kid in Florida.  He works part time at a drug store and is constantly trying to handle his eccentric grandfather. Jacob's grandfather has always had a mysterious past, but once the circumstances involving his death are suspicious, Jacob is drawn into a world he thought only existed in fairy tales.

Hollow city, the sequel, takes off exactly where the first book leaves off.  There's no break in the action, and it's easy to dive right back into the story. (Though in my case there was no break between finishing the first and starting the second book.)  There is more action, more character development, and definitely more peculiarity in this sequel.

The books also contain real photographs that have had little to no doctoring.  The strangeness of these real photos adds a lot of realism to the otherwise fantastical books.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Teens Only | It's Hot

Duh, right? And the only thing I want to do on hot, hot days like the ones we had this past week is READ!

So let's chat about what's HOT in teen books right now. Some of these you may have read or heard about. One thing's for sure: you won't be disappointed. So find a cool spot, get comfortable, and read!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs: Get ready for a mysterious read that will keep you guessing. This story takes place in an abandoned orphanage on a mysterious island.  Sixteen-year-old Jacob unwittingly discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were not just really peculiar, they may still be alive! You won't be able to put this one down!


If you're in the mood for a love story, try Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. But it's not just a love story; there are some really big issues that teens Park and Eleanor have to deal with. They are outsiders who come together to form a really cool relationship. Again, it's not just relationship stuff; there's danger too! By the way, this story is set in the 1980s with lots of references to music and pop culture of that decade. It's getting a lot of good hype, so give it a shot! But be forewarned, I'm hearing the ending might not be a happy one. I've already place a request on this one!!



The next great summer read I want to mention is Richard Yancey's The 5th Wave. This sci-fi must-read is set in the aftermath of a crushing alien invasion in which the aliens themselves never appeared. But billions of humans have died in the months following the appearance of a giant mother ship. Think tsunamis, plagues, and implantation of alien intelligence into fetuses. The reviewers are saying this book will grab you from the beginning as venture into this survivalist thriller with characters Cassie and Ben. You'll be hearing lots more about this one, so read it now! I've also got a request on this one!

So 3 hot teen books sure to entertain you....or thrill you...or keep you up at night! As always, if you don't see one of these books at the library branch near you, ask staff to help you place a request. I know you won't be disappointed.