Watch the ENTIRE thing. I was disgusted at first, but let it play. Truly amazing & oh-so-relevant.

Happy 2010 everyone!

As everyone (myself included) is making resolutions for better health, I thought I’d mention another resolution that I look forward to holding myself to. You see, in 2009, I didn’t read all that much. I did read more than I give myself credit for (countless blogs that I discovered do, after all, count as reading), but I really ought to read more books. And so this year, I’m challenging myself to read 36 books.

These 36 cannot be re-reads, & in order for them to be counted, I’ve got to read the whole thing. That’s not to say that I have to finish every book I start (life is far too short & there are far too many books to read!), but if I want them to make the list, I have to finish them. I’ll try to let you know what I’ve read at the end of each month!

Before I can begin, however, I’ve got to finish the two books I’ve not been reading of late – The Historian as well as Ink Exchange. Then, because I’ve been putting it off despite enjoying the first chapter, I’m finally going to tackle Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrell, a book I purchased at list price when it was first published & can now be found at dollar stores.

I’m going to try to include the caveat that these 36 books ought to also be books sitting on my shelf, because there’s really no reason why I own so many books I’ve not read, but somehow I doubt that’ll happen. There are always so many new books that want my attention!

My friend Steve over at Bibliomaniac is doing a crazy book-reading challenge: he’s going to read the entire Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series. This is, of course, in addition to all the other crazy reading he’ll be doing. I envy is fast-reading abilities!

Are there any books you’re going to try & tackle in the new year? Have you made a reading-based resolution as well?

Catching Fireby Suzanne Collins: the sequel to Hunger Games. I bet you weren’t expecting that, but wow. My friend & co-worker who’s on the Newbery committee this year got it in the mail about a month ago, & when I was finally in line for it, I pounced & read it in two days. I literally could not read fast enough. It was really quite good, & I personally think it was better than the first. Whereas I personally found a good bit of the first on

I look forward to seeing everyone’s reactions to the twists & turns you’re put through in September when this is finally released. I’m eagerly awaiting the final installment – although I don’t expect to see it before it’s released. Methinks Hunger Games 3 will not be turned into an ARC, no matter how much we may wish it.

Wicked Lovelyby Melissa Marr: I’ve had this book on my shelf since shortly after its arrival in hardcover, & even though I adore faeries, I kept passing it up in favor of other reads – which, I can now say, was a mistake. To me, this book is what the love triangle in Twilight should have been – complex & confusing. Whereas in that story you’re generally persuaded to choose a side, I could honestly say throughout this story that I truly didn’t know who I wanted Aislinn, the heroine, to choose.

I was particularly struck by the descriptions of sense throughout the story – the taste of sunshine, the smell of iron. Also, the faerie lore in this book is well-researched & presented matter-of-fact: there’s no time for long explanations of faeries & their existence. Things happen fast, & every decision has a major consequence. Although I could see the twist before it happened, I was quite happy that I didn’t see it until just before. I didn’t want this book to end!

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indianby Sherman Alexie: most of the time, winners of the National Book Award are fabulous literary works, but are entirely too dull for my tastes. I’m happy to report that this book is just as amazing as you’ve heard – I chose this as the May selection for our adult book discussion, & nearly all the regulars enjoyed this. It’s funny, sad, amazing, inspiring, bewildering. I wouldn’t believe some of what happened if it weren’t semi-autobiographical, & I personally adore that it dealt with many teen issues in a frank, realistic way. Real issues like anorexia, masturbation, alcoholism, & let’s face it, being a freaking teenager, are handled better than even the most veteran of teen authors. Absolutely enchanting.

Half-Assedby Jennette Fulda, aka PastaQueen: I’ve been reading her blog for awhile now, & so I decided I ought to give her book a try. Although the writing at her blog is top notch, it’s still a blog, but I was honestly quite impressed at the quality of writing found here. She recently left her job to freelance full-time, & I think she’ll do well. But the book itself, a weight-loss memoir, is full of so much amazing Midwestern philosophy that I feel that I actually know her. Her bit about the fat acceptance movement, & the bizarre contradictions they make, was absolutely dead on. I highly recommend this!

& now, what I plan to read: Fast Food Nation (about 1/4 way through), Ink Exchange (almost done), Uglies (I’m possibly the last person to read it), & Paper Towns. Mayhaps I’ll get to them all before summer ends?

This week’s Newsweek arrived in my mailbox yesterday (& I LOVE the new design & layout to pieces!), & in addition to coverage of the death of Michael Jackson, this edition is all about BOOKS. One feature talks about book covers & Chip Kidd’s (an editor at Alfred Knopp) favorites through the years. Although he nailed some of the best designs of the times (books such as Everything is Illuminated, Twilight, & A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius), I also felt like a lot of his choices were, well, really obvious! Dig deeper to find some chestnuts, like Sima’s Undergarments for Women!

One of the nice things about teen lit is that selling the book relies on the story & design alone – unless it’s a name like Stephenie Meyer or JK Rowling, teens usually don’t know & frankly don’t care. Some will recognize a name like Meg Cabot or Darren Shan, simply because their books take up so much of the shelf, but teens in general are rather more interested in whether the story is interesting, rather than which best-selling author’s name is plastered across the cover.

This means that some of the absolute best cover designs, in my opinion, are hidden over your bookstore’s & library’s teen section. Here’s a sampling of some of my favorites…

You can view the entire “Well Designed Books Make Better Lovers” set on my Flickr!

from the January/February issue of Horn Book.

I did! I finally finished The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, & all of you should read it! It’s a lot like Battle Royale & Lord of the Flies, but it’s set in a future North American dystopia & has an awesome strong female lead. It’s reality television at its bloodiest, but the violence, although always at the forefront of the story, is understated & done really well. This is a fantastic teen thriller. Once you start it, you won’t be able to put it down. & when you do, it’s all you’ll think about – read it, & then tell me otherwise, I dare you!!

For my fellow teen librarians: it’s great for boys, reluctant readers, & Uglies fans. Put this on your summer reading lists & give it to your graphic novel readers. They’ll be hooked!

For those of you who have read it, a most important question awaits:

I honestly haven’t decided yet. I love them both! One completely gets her, but the other is so sweet, & their lives are forever intertwined. Defend your answer!