Review: All of Us Villains

All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Publication Date: 9 November 2021

Publisher's Description

 The Blood Moon rises. The Blood Veil falls. The Tournament begins.

Every generation, at the coming of the Blood Moon, seven families in the remote city of Ilvernath each name a champion to compete in a tournament to the death.

The prize? Exclusive control over a secret wellspring of high magick, the most powerful resource in the world--one thought long depleted.

This year, thanks to a salacious tell-all book, the seven champions are thrust into worldwide spotlight, granting each of them new information, new means to win, and most importantly: a choice - accept their fate or rewrite their story.

But this is a story that must be penned in blood.

Review: World Piece, Vol. 1

World Piece, Vol. 1 by Josh Tierney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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Publication Date: 8 June 2021

Publisher's Description

Josh Tierney and Agroshka’s sci-fi adventure follows Lucas Densen, a 16-year-old high schooler who suddenly finds himself protecting an Earth that has been shrunk by an unknown alien artifact—the world is literally in his hands!

Lucas Densen has earned his easygoing high school reputation through hard work and optimism. Life seems to be smooth sailing for this basketball-playing stargazer until an alien artifact shrinks the world, along with everything Lucas loves. What awaits him in this new realm where worlds are the size of your palm, and can he find out how to restore the Earth?

Lucas Densen has earned his easygoing reputation through hard work and optimism. When not playing basketball for his high school team, the Pulsars, Lucas enjoys visiting his mother’s archaeological excavations. During one visit, Lucas accidentally triggers an ancient alien artifact that suddenly transforms Earth into a small glowing orb no larger than a basketball! Transported to a mysterious realm with nothing but what’s on his back and the planet in his hands, Lucas encounters a friendly alien, Lully, who offers to help. What awaits him in this new realm where worlds are the size of your palm, and can he find out how to restore Earth?

Review: We Can't Keep Meeting Like This

We Can't Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Publication Date: 8 June 2021

Publisher's Description

A wedding harpist disillusioned with love and a hopeless romantic cater-waiter flirt and fight their way through a summer of weddings in this effervescent romantic comedy from the acclaimed author of Today Tonight Tomorrow.

Quinn Berkowitz and Tarek Mansour’s families have been in business together for years: Quinn’s parents are wedding planners, and Tarek’s own a catering company. At the end of last summer, Quinn confessed her crush on him in the form of a rambling email—and then he left for college without a response.

Quinn has been dreading seeing him again almost as much as she dreads another summer playing the harp for her parents’ weddings. When he shows up at the first wedding of the summer, looking cuter than ever after a year apart, they clash immediately. Tarek’s always loved the grand gestures in weddings—the flashier, the better—while Quinn can’t see them as anything but fake. Even as they can’t seem to have one civil conversation, Quinn’s thrown together with Tarek wedding after wedding, from performing a daring cake rescue to filling in for a missing bridesmaid and groomsman.

Quinn can’t deny her feelings for him are still there, especially after she learns the truth about his silence, opens up about her own fears, and begins learning the art of harp-making from an enigmatic teacher.

Maybe love isn’t the enemy after all—and maybe allowing herself to fall is the most honest thing Quinn’s ever done.

Welcome MALA!

Today is my virtual presentation for the Mid-America Library Alliance (MALA), so if you have found your way here from the session I want to start off with a huge

I hope each and everyone you found something to inspire you today.

Here's a round-up of the resources that we went over so you can dive deeper into whatever you need and skip past what you don't:

DIY Stickers

Book Club

Writing Club

Anime Club

Bookclubz

Bokksu

Bucilla My 1st Stitch (Amazon search list)

Punch Needle Embroidery for Beginners

Generation T

Teen Services Underground

Teen Librarian Toolbox

YALSA Teen Programming HQ

The Hub (YALSA)

I think that covers everything so go forth and be inspired! If I missed anything please let me know in the comments below. And drop me a message if you need anything else-I'm always glad to lend a hand (or a head in the more abstract 'Two brains are better than one' sense).

Edited to Add:

Where do I go to keep up with trends? The answer: many places. Here's a rundown of some of my faves:

Trend Watching -a paid service, but they do have an active twitter feed with some freebies

Etsy Trends

Google Trends

YouTube Trends

Twitter Trends

BuzzFeed

Martha Stewart sometimes has some good round-ups of craft trends and they are always on target!

This is my overview of trends watching for general and crafty trends. And I hope it helps.

Review: Sixteen Scandals

Sixteen Scandals by Sophie Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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Publication Date: 25 May 2021

Publisher's Description

In this irreverent regency romp by New York Times best-selling author Sophie Jordan, newly minted sixteen-year-old Primrose Ainsworth finds herself on a wayward birthday adventure through London with a mysterious hero—perfect for fans of My Lady Jane.

The youngest of four daughters, Primrose Ainsworth is used to getting lost in the shuffle. But when her parents decide to delay her debut into English society, Prim hatches a plan to go rogue on the night of her sixteenth birthday.

Donning a mask, Prim escapes to the infamous Vauxhall Gardens for one wild night. When her cover is nearly blown, a mysterious stranger intercedes, and Prim finds an unexpected partner in mischief . . . and romance. But when it’s revealed her new ally isn’t who he says he is, her one night of fun may last past dawn.

In this frothy regency romp perfect for fans of Austen-esque flirtation and Shakespearean hijinks, sometimes a little scandal can be a good thing.

Review: Cool for the Summer

Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Publication Date: 11 May 2021

Publisher's Description

Lara's had eyes for exactly one person throughout her three years of high school: Chase Harding. He's tall, strong, sweet, a football star, and frankly, stupid hot. Oh, and he's talking to her now. On purpose and everything. Maybe...flirting, even? No, wait, he's definitely flirting, which is pretty much the sum of everything Lara's wanted out of life.

Except she’s haunted by a memory. A memory of a confusing, romantic, strangely perfect summer spent with a girl named Jasmine. A memory that becomes a confusing, disorienting present when Jasmine herself walks through the front doors of the school to see Lara and Chase chatting it up in front of the lockers.

Lara has everything she ever wanted: a tight-knit group of friends, a job that borders on cool, and Chase, the boy of her literal dreams. But if she's finally got the guy, why can't she stop thinking about the girl?

Cool for the Summer is a story of self-discovery and new love. It’s about the things we want and the things we need. And it’s about the people who will let us be who we are.

Review: Stranger Things: Science Camp

Stranger Things: Science Camp by Jody Houser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Publication Date: 4 May 2021

Publisher's Description

The comics based on the hit Netflix series delve into B-movie horror nostalgia when Dustin goes to summer camp, confronts a sinister figure in an Albert Einstein mask, and joins forces with Suzie to solve mysterious disappearances.

Dustin arrives at Camp Know Where to navigate the new social hierarchy without the support of his Hawkins adventuring party. While also faced with nerdy bullies, a new menace haunts the young scientists and camp counselors. A mysterious figure with sinister intent arrives to disrupt the serene woodland scene. When camp counselors start to disappear, the solution won't take rocket science, but Dustin will have to get on the same wavelength as Suzie and the other campers before tensions reach a boiling point.

Writer Jody Houser (Critical Role, Stranger Things: Into the Fire) returns with Edgar Salazar and Keith Champagne (Stranger Things: SIX) to create a new miniseries in the Stranger Things universe, taking place between seasons two and three of the hit Netflix show.

Collects Stranger Things: Science Camp #1-#4.

Review: Kate in Waiting

Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Publication Date: 20 April 2021

Publisher's Description

From #1 New York Times bestselling author and rom-com queen Becky Albertalli comes a buoyant new novel about daring to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight in love, life, and, yes, theater.

Contrary to popular belief, best friends Kate Garfield and Anderson Walker are not codependent. Carpooling to and from theater rehearsals? Environmentally sound and efficient. Consulting each other on every single life decision? Basic good judgment. Pining for the same guys from afar? Shared crushes are more fun anyway.

But when Kate and Andy’s latest long-distance crush shows up at their school, everything goes off-script. Matt Olsson is talented and sweet, and Kate likes him. She really likes him. The only problem? So does Anderson.  

Turns out, communal crushes aren’t so fun when real feelings are involved. This one might even bring the curtains down on Kate and Anderson’s friendship.

 

Bring Your Own Book: Animal Edition

 

It's time for a special Librarian-Created edition of Bring Your Own Book just in time for Summer 2021!

 

Pop Tab Bracelets-Part 2

I'm making an update to my past post on Pop Tab Bracelets because it is an upcoming Grab & Go for my teens this month.

SLP 2021: Animal Toys, part 2

I love the wacky creativity that comes with making something new and this summer that is probably going to extend to creating some new creatures.

SLP 2021: No-Sew Bag

I love all things no-sew! And this bag uses the same steps as our T-Shirt Tote bags, but is instead made of animal print fabric. Super easy!

 

SLP 2021: Coasters

 

 

Confession: I think I may have an odd obsession with coasters. Over the years, I have inadvertently acquired a ridiculous amount of coasters in my home. Like ridiculous.

Of these coasters, I have about a good dozen that I have made. Why? Because they were craft samples for library programs for teens and adults.

This summer, my coaster obsession will continue to grow with animal print options.

SLP 2021: Animal Toys

 You can purchase animal toys in bulk online. They just come in an assorted bag. Likewise, Dollar Tree has many options.

 From there just a few additional pieces give you a range of options.

SLP 2021: Animal Print Bracelets

 

Let's explore another animal print fashion accessory: bracelets!

I had some leftover fabric from my ridiculously large alien and decided it would be perfect to hold onto for this summer because it is so reptilian.

It turns out it was perfect for a bracelet. Thanks in large part to the stiffness of the fabric.

SLP 2021: Animal Live Cams

 

During my presentation this morning for NCKLS & NEKLS, we had a small chat about Live Cams and, as promised, here's a list of some of my favorites. These would be fantastic to promote on your own social media. I'm focusing on the free (but donations are quite welcome) options.

SLP 2021: Duct Tape Wallet

 

 

I'm beginning to treat this summer as the summer of animal print. Much like my earlier post on Origami, this is a craft that we are all pretty familiar with and switching to animal print is an easy way to tie it in to our summer theme.

With that in mind, let's make some easy duct tape wallets.

SLP 2021: No Sew Scrunchies

 

SLP 2021: Cute as a Button

 

SLP 2021: Origami