Suit of Armour Hoodie

Suit of Armour Hoodie on Etsy for all you chivalrous fellas out there.

Paint Pen

So, have you ever painted a room or a piece of furniture or anything that had corners? If so, you probably understand the woes involved in "touch ups." It's impossible to not miss spots here and there, or accidentally blob a bit of bright purple wall paint on your white ceiling. Well, for those little mistakes I have discovered something called the Paint Pen! The Slobproof Paint Pen lets you load up the pen and save it for years in case you need little touch ups here and there. It’s soooo much easier than storing bulky cans just for tiny touch ups.

If you have no idea why I would be so excited about something like this, save this suggestion for when you have an apartment and need to paint around a door frame. Then, young Jedi, know you will.

Librarian's Pick of the Week: Unwind

Title: Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman
Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction
Published: 2007
Age: 13+

Synopsis: In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until theireighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away. In Unwind , Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.

Review: Following in the footsteps of Jonathan Swift, Shusterman uncorks a Modest Proposal of his own to solve a Pro-Life/Pro-Choice dilemma. Set in a future in which abortions are outlawed but parents have the option of signing over their 13- to 17-year-olds to be used as organ donors, the tale focuses on 16-year-old Connor, who falls in with other prospective Unwinds and finds a temporary refuge (thanks to a clandestine organization with its own peculiar agenda) before being captured and sent to Happy Jack Harvest Camp. Though laced with intrigue, betrayals, and narrow squeaks, the story is propelled less by the plot (which is largely a series of long set pieces) than by an ingeniously developed cast and premise. But even readers who gravitate more to plot-driven fiction will find this present-tense page-turner thrilling, though it's guaranteed to leave some feeling decidedly queasy despite the (improbable) happy ending. - Booklist

If you're intrigued, don't forget to check our library's catalog for this book!

Roald Dahl Cookbook

So, who else loves themed food? Just me?? If I am not indeed the only one in the world who gets excited about book-themed cookbooks, this post is for you! I just learned of Roald Dahl's Cookbook! And it looks delightful. It includes lots of Dahl's favorite food, and includes Norwegian, French, and British recipes. It is described as "part memoir, part love letter to family members and part recipe book." As a lover of all things Dahl, I will indeed have to find it.

If you are looking for some cookbooks that feature recipes inspired by the books themselves, check out the following list:

The Louisa May Alcott Cookbook by Gretchen Anderson

"Anderson collects recipes from the stories of her favorite author and arranges them according to degrees of difficulty. The directions for oldtime favorites are neatly illustrated by Milone, who also evokes the cheery households with animated drawings. The author's forewords contain notes on Alcott's turbulent life, but they're too sketchy to add interest. Young readers will, however, certainly enjoy preparing and eating the specialties of the March and Baer kitchens: apple pie, Boston brown bread, muffins, pattycakes, strawberry pie and other tempters." - Publisher's Weekly

 Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes by Felicity Dahl

"Who but Roald Dahl could think up such mouthwatering and deliciously disgusting foods as Lickable Wallpaper, Stink Bugs Eggs, and Eatable Pillows? Now theres a practical guide to making these and other delicacies featured in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and Dahl's other books, with easy, step-by-step recipes that range from the delectable to the truly revolting. Quentin Blake's illustrations combine with full-color photographs of the luscious results to perfectly capture Roald Dahls wicked sense of fun." - Publisher's Weekly

The Redwall Cookbook by Brian Jacques

"Ever read a Redwall novel and wonder exactly what Abbot’s Special Abbey Trifle is? Or how to make Shrimp ’N Hotroot Soup, that delicacy of otters everywhere? Or Mole’s Favourite Turnip and Tater Deeper ’N Ever Pie? From the simple refreshment of Summer Strawberry Fizz to Great Hall Gooseberry Fool, they’re all here, along with dozens of other favorites sure to turn young hands into seasoned chefs, illustrated in full color with all the charm and magic that is Redwall. A gift like no other for fans of the series, old or new." - Amazon

 The Jane Austen Cookbook by Maggie Black

"One of Jane’s dearest friends, Martha Lloyd, lived with the family for many years and recorded in her “Household Book” over 100 recipes enjoyed by the Austens. A selection of this family fare, now thoroughly tested and modernized for today’s cooks, is recreated here, together with some of the more sophisticated dishes which Jane and her characters would have enjoyed at balls, picnics, and supper parties. A fascinating introduction describes Jane’s own interest in food, drawing upon both the novels and her letters, and explains the social conventions of shopping, eating, and entertaining in late Georgian and Regency England." - Amazon

 The Winnie the Pooh Cookbook by Virginia Ellison

"The famously rotund bear is happiest when in possession of a brimming pot of honey, but when it comes time for meals and smackerels, the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood need something a little more substantial. This delightful collection contains over fifty tried-and-true recipes for readers of all ages to make and enjoy, starting with Poohanpiglet pancakes and ending with a recipe for getting thin-with honey sauces, holiday treats, and dishes for every mealtime in between." - Amazon

 Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook by Frankie Frankeney

"Ever wonder what green eggs and ham really taste like? They're yummy. And now everyone can whip up a batch for themselves using this fabulous cookbook. Filled with simple, scrumptious, wacky recipes for such foods as Cat in the Hat Pudding and Moose Juice and Schlopp, this unique cookbook will have the whole family hamming it up in the kitchen." - Barnes and Noble

The Little House Cookbook by Barbara Walker

"Here are over 100 unique recipes celebrating the foods and cooking techniques of Laura's pioneer childhood. Taken from dishes described in the beloved Little House books, these recipes were carefully researched by Barbara M. Walker and tested in her own kitchen. From pancake men and pumpkin pie to vanity cakes and ice cream, these recipes give adults and children alike the chance to experience a taste of Laura's childhood, reminding us of the connection between the food on the table and the work involved in getting it there." - Little House Books

 The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook - Dinah Bulchoz

"With this cookbook, dining a la Hogwarts is as easy as Banoffi Pie. With more than 150 easy-to-make recipes, tips, and techniques, you can indulge in spellbindingly delicious meals drawn straight from the pages of your favorite Potter stories, such as Treacle Tart, Molly's Meat Pies, Kreacher's French Onion Soup, and Pumpkin Pasties. With a dash of magic and a drop of creativity, you'll conjure up the entrees, desserts, snacks, and drinks you need to transform ordinary Muggle meals into magical culinary masterpieces, sure to make even Mrs. Weasley proud." - Amazon

New Arrivals!

August 1st - 15th

Librarian's Pick of the Week: Wildwood Dancing

Title: Wildwood Dancing
Author: Juliet Mariller
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Published: 2004
Age: 14+

Synopsis: High in the Transylvanian woods, at the castle Piscul Draculi, live five daughters and their doting father. It's an idyllic life for Jena, the second eldest, who spends her time exploring the mysterious forest with her constant companion, a most unusual frog. But best by far is the castle's hidden portal, known only to the sisters. Every Full Moon, they alone can pass through it into the enchanted world of the Other Kingdom. There they dance through the night with the fey creatures of this magical realm. But their peace is shattered when Father falls ill and must go to the southern parts to recover, for that is when cousin Cezar arrives. Though he's there to help the girls survive the brutal winter, Jena suspects he has darker motives in store. Meanwhile, Jena's sister has fallen in love with a dangerous creature of the Other Kingdom--an impossible union it's up to Jena to stop. When Cezar's grip of power begins to tighten, at stake is everything Jena loves: her home, her family, and the Other Kingdom she has come to cherish. To save her world, Jena will be tested in ways she can't imagine--tests of trust, strength, and true love.

Review: On the night of each full moon, the five Transylvanian sisters who reside in the castle Piscul Dracului don their finest gowns. They raise their hands to create shadows against the wall, opening a portal to the Other Kingdom, where they will dance the night away with all manner of fantastical creatures. After nine years of full moons spent in delightful revelry, dark forces, both human and otherworldly, arise to encroach upon the sisters' happiness. Told by Jena, the second oldest sister, this detailed and mood-rich story covers much territory, both mundane and magical. Adult fantasy writer Marillier has uniquely reimagined and blended an assortment of well-known tales and characters--including fairies, dwarves, witches, vampires, and a frog who is more than he seems--into a compelling whole in her first book for teens. By the end, all are cleverly bound together, and a mystery is solved. With much to say about human nature and choice, not unlike the moral in fairy tales of old, this will be a hit with older teen readers, especially girls. - Booklist

If you're intrigued, don't forget to check our library's catalog for this book!

Flashback Friday

This is a new installment here at the Paris Public Library Teen Blog. Every Friday is going to be Flashback Friday, which basically means that I will post a picture or a video from the "good ole days," so that we can sit here and think "Oh, let's never go back to those dark times..."

Do you ever remember playing Oregon Trail when the screen looked like this!?!

Books on the Big Screen

Now that The Hunger Games has been such a hit, we thought we'd give you a list of other Young Adult books are possibly being made into movies soon:

City of Bones
Cassandra Clare

Suddenly able to see demons and the Darkhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension, fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is drawn into this bizzare world when her mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a monster.

Beautiful Creatures
Kami Garcia

In a small South Carolina town, where it seems little has changed since the Civil War, sixteen-year-old Ethan is powerfully drawn to Lena, a new classmate with whom he shares a psychic connection and whose family hides a dark secret that may be revealed on her sixteenth birthday.

Divergent
Veronica Roth

In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

The Maze Runner
James Dashner

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, his memory is blank. But he's not alone. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze have opened. Every night they've closed. Thomas might be important, if only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

The Giver
Lois Lowry

Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other. He then learns the terrible truth about the Community.

Delirium
Lauren Oliver

Lena looks forward to receiving the government-mandated cure that prevents the delirium of love and leads to a safe, predictable, and happy life, until ninety-five days before her eighteenth birthday and her treatment, when she falls in love.  

 
Matched
Ally Condie

Cassia has always had complete trust in the Society to make decisions for her, but when she is being paired with her ideal mate, a second face flashes on the screen, and Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility as she tries to decide which man she truly loves.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Lairi Taylor

Seventeen-year-old Karou, a lovely, enigmatic art student in a Prague boarding school, carries a sketchbook of hideous, frightening monsters--the chimaerae who form the only family she has ever known.  

Incarceron
Catherine Fisher

To free herself from an upcoming arranged marriage, Claudia, the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, a futuristic prison with a mind of its own, decides to help a young prisoner escape.




Are there any Young Adult books you'd like to see made into movies? Do you ever wish they wouldn't make your favorite books into movies so you don't have to see how they are going to be ruined? What are your thoughts on book to movies adaptations? Thoughts please!! 

Librarian's Pick of the Week: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

Title: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Author: E. Lockhart
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: 2008
Age: 12+

Synopsis: Frankie Landau-Banks at age 14: Debate Club. Her father's "bunny rabbit." A mildly geeky girl attending a highly competitive boarding school. Frankie Landau-Banks at age 15: A knockout figure. A sharp tongue. A chip on her shoulder. And a gorgeous new senior boyfriend: the supremely goofy, word-obsessed Matthew Livingston. Frankie Landau-Banks. No longer the kind of girl to take "no" for an answer. Especially when "no" means she's excluded from her boyfriend's all-male secret society. Not when her ex-boyfriend shows up in the strangest of places. Not when she knows she's smarter than any of them. When she knows Matthew's lying to her. And when there are so many, many pranks to be done. Frankie Landau-Banks, at age 16: Possibly a criminal mastermind. This is the story of how she got that way.

Review: In the summer between her freshman and sophomore years, Frankie Landau-Banks transforms from a scrawny, awkward child with frizzy hair to a curvy beauty, all while sitting quietly in a suburban hammock, reading the short stories of Dorothy Parker and drinking lemonade. On her return to Alabaster Prep, her elite boarding school, she attracts the attention of gorgeous Matthew, who draws her into his circle of popular seniors. Then Frankie learns that Matthew is a member of the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, an all-male Alabaster secret society to which Frankie's dad had once belonged. Excluded from belonging to or even discussing the Bassets, Frankie engineers her own guerilla membership by assuming a false online identity. Frankie is a fan of P. G. Wodehouse's books, and Lockhart's wholly engaging narrative, filled with wordplay, often reads like a clever satire about the capers of the entitled, interwoven with elements of a mystery. But the story's expertly timed comedy also has deep undercurrents. Lockhart creates a unique, indelible character in Frankie, whose oddities only make her more realistic, and teens will be galvanized by her brazen action and her passionate, immediate questions about gender and power, individuals and institutions, and how to fall in love without losing herself. - Booklist

If you're intrigued, don't forget to check our library's catalog for this book!

Waterproof iPhone

So you want to go to the ocean or tubing on the lake, but you're a renowned ruiner of cell phones? Well, I've got you covered. The Scuba Suit and LifeProof are 100% waterproof iPhone cases. So not only does this mean that when you drop your phone off the dock and watch it sink to the bottom you don't have to worry about phone breakage, but you also can take really awesome swimming photos. Brilliant.

Librarian's Pick of the Week: Marvel 1602

Title: Marvel 1602
Author: Neil Gaiman
Genre: Graphic Novel
Published: 2004
Age:  12+

Synopsis:"1602 is a triumph. The Marvel universe hasn't been this engrossing in ages." - Entertainment Weekly Neil Gaiman's vision of the Marvel Universe in the year 1602! The year is 1602, and strange things are stirring in England. In the service of Queen Elizabeth, court magician Dr. Stephen Strange senses that the bizarre weather plaguing the skies above is not of natural origin. Her majesty's premier spy, Sir Nicholas Fury, fends off an assassination attempt on the Queen by winged warriors rumored to be in service to a mad despot named Doom. News is spreading of "witchbreed" sightings - young men bearing fantastic superhuman powers and abilities. And in the center of the rising chaos is Virginia Dare, a young girl newly arrived from the New World, guarded by a towering Indian warrior. Can Fury and his allies find a connection to these unusual happenings before the whole world ends? In Marvel 1602, award-winning writer Neil Gaiman presents a unique vision of the Marvel Universe set four hundred years in the past. Classic Marvel icons such as the X-Men, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and Daredevil appear in this intriguing world of 17th- century science and sorcery, instantly familiar to readers, yet subtly different in this new time. Marvel 1602 combines classic Marvel action and adventure with the historically accurate setting of Queen Elizabeth's reign to create a unique series unlike any other published by Marvel Comics

If you're intrigued, don't forget to check our library's catalog for this book!

New Arrivals!!!

July 16th - July 31st