City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wow! This book got some seriously mixed reviews. I personally liked it, thought I did have some trouble with the Clary/Jace thing while I thought they were related, I'd already read the summary of "City of Lost Angels" so I knew it got resolved.

Jace and Alec, though parabatti, don't seem that connected at all. This would have to be one of my biggest complaints about the book. They are supposed to be closer than brothers, yet they are both always running off doing their own thing. By contrast, I loved the loyalty we see in Clary and Simon. Now they more clearly define what I imagined a "parabotic" relationship to be. They finish out the book clearly and completely interested in others, but their friendship remains steadfast despite the fact that she is a shadowhunter and he is a vampire.

Isbelle grows some throughout this book. She keeps much of her pettiness, but still manages to become a deeper character. I liked that.

The Jace and Sebastian twist is very cool. As is the whole conveluted thing with demon and angel blood.

Clary and Lucian's ability to bring everyone together for the final battles is great. I could feel the tension in the meeting hall as she spoke and they debated and then the excitement as the rune was passed around and applied. AWESOME!

GO RAZIEL!

Overall, I think fans of the series will like this book. It brings so much to resolution because it was supposed to be the end of the series, yet it clearly leaves are characters ripe for another story. I for one, am glad Clare continued.

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my... wait that's Dorothy.

Demons, and warlocks and vampires, OH MY. When you miss your bi-annual mind swipe, all kinds of things come into focus and not all of them are things you'd like to see. Especially the ugly ones, in your apartment, trying to kill you. Welcome to the world of Shadow Hunters, Clary. Oh wait, you don't know what they are.. well, guess what, you are one. Yes, that usually means a life of killing and dying and scars, scars, scars. Don't worry, you'll figure it out; come along now. What, no, we don't like mundanes, we'd prefer you leave your life long friend behind, but if you must...

Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thoroughly entertaining and a great recommendation for guys throughout the teen age range. Carter is a freshman, but struggles with issues pervasive at all levels of high school. This was an easy ready that had me laughing out loud at every sitting. Guys and girls alike will enjoy the candor and humor of Crawford.

Carter firmly believes that starting high school will solve all of his problems. He'll stop stuttering in the presence of boob, he'll get his ADD under control and he will suddenly become super cool... wrong. Carter makes some crazy mistakes, hurts some feelings along the way and finally finds out where he fits in the world of high school. Some of us take a lot longer than 14 years to find our fit. You go Carter!

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

WOW! I can see why this book was on multiple awards lists. There were tons of unanswered questions for so much of the book I found it frustrating, but then the answers came and WOW. Supernatural is all the rage right now, but Taylor takes it in a totally new and fascinating direction. For most of the book, the only well developed character is Karuo, but then we learn her back story and many of the other characters take on intense significance. The only let down was a "to be continued.." ending. The past is clearly defined at last, but readers come to care deeply about both Karou and Akiva, yet theirs are the only stories left hanging. Enjoy, but be ready to be left in suspense, at least until November 6, 2012.

I'm very excited to discover Universal Studios might be making a movie. Yippee!

View all my reviews

Pop Culture Trivia at NPL

Test your pop culture savvy.  Visit the YA department anytime this week to complete a trivia questionnaire. Entries with 90% or more correct answers will be entered into a prize drawing. Winner will be announced on the Newport Public Library FB page and @NewportLib on Twitter.  

Open Studios at NPL

Saturday, October 13 at 10:30 we will focus on drawing, painting, and collage. The library will provide watercolor and poster paper in various sizes; brushes; paints; and drawing pencils.  You provide the creativity.  Take home a work of art for your own wall or as a gift. OR, vent some pent up emotions on paper, flirty, fun, furious or flighty, turn it into art.

Seasonal Creativity- Masks and Pumpkins

Get started early this year!  Join Ms. Becky in the library program room at 3:30 on Tuesday, October 9 to create your own Halloween mask or paint your own pumpkin!  Spooky, goofy or down right groovy, it's all up to you.


All supplies will be provided and snacks will be available.  There is no pre-registration, just show up and have a ball.

Banned Books Week

... is September 30 through October 6.
Be a rebel and read one of these 100 most frequently challenged books from 2000-2009. You might be surprised at some of the titles you find.  Can you guess why your read was challenged?