The Rad Librarian

All you Twitteratti need to read this elegant book culled from his column in 1906 in the French newspaper Le Matin.  True crime listings, but in his hands, remarkably powerful in three short lines.

A narcoleptic PI from South Boston trying to solve a family mystery kept my interest thoughout in a fun first novel.  There were a few plot problems which got swept up in the “what is reality?” theme, but  overall, well worth reading this summer.  I have a feeling his next book will be even better.

There is such a breezy,  friendly quality to Pinkwater’s writing.  Coming of age in 50’s Chicago, Robert finally finds his place at an alternative school just how I would have wanted to attend.  I always loved reading his picture books for storytimes with their funny and joyful ways of being in the world.  Enjoy this one or grab his 5 novels collection.

Delightful YA adventure book by first time author H. M. Bouwman about two 12 year-old girls who come together to discover the reason the men on the mythical islands off the Atlantic coast have turned to stone.  Nice character development and placing this historical fantasy in 1787 allows some interesting history about prisoners from England being sent to the colonies to add some depth to the plot.  I would particularly recommend this to girls ages 9-13.

I haven’t read a good middle school fantasy novel in a while, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked “The Dragon of Trelian”.  It had a nice mix of intrigue, coming of age issues, and world building with a fresh view on learning magic.  I particularly liked the friendship between the Princess Meglynne and the mage’s apprentice Calen.  It will appeal to both boys and girls and grown-ups, and I hope it’s popular enough to merit a sequel.

Just finished Little Big by John Crowley.  I loved it so much I’m not starting another book for a few days which I haven’t done in years.   The intergenerational family with a connection to an  Otherwhere is a delight.  The pacing, language, and character development are masterful.  I can’t stop thinking what a great reading experience that was.  It’s like I’ve been eating junk food and now have been introduced to a made from scratch feast.  Little Big is from 1980.  Something about the title led me to believe I might have read it a long time ago, but no.  Dare I say it’s on my top 10 this year and it’s still January?

2007 was a good year for my reading life.  My hearty brew of fiction, comics, sci-fi, mysteries, and non-fiction keeps me content and excited to be in the librarian world.

So on with the show:

1)  Yiddish Policemen’s Union- Michael Chabon.

The Diaposa of Jews had been settled in Alaska for 50 years until now when the US will take over.  A fun mystery in love with language.  I couldn’t get through his other book this year “Gentlemen of the Road“  -So from your favorite Library guy stick with Yiddish.

2)  Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao-  Junot Diaz.

A Dominican/ American family story told from various first person accounts.  This book was written for me with my fluency in nerd speak and Spanish. Part of it takes place in New Brunswick, NJ where my brother lived for years, and also in the Dominican Republic.  Good reminder of the sometimes untranslatable nature of language. This is Junot’s first book in 10 years.  He needs to write more quickly

3)  Brief Encounters with Che Guevara-  Ben Fountain

My short story collection of the year.  Politically smart.  Strong character development.  A nice internationalism and variety to the stories.  The graduate student caught by FARC in Columbia story has stayed in the memory for months.

4)  Absolutely True Story of a Part Time Indian-  Sherman Alexie

Having this young adult novel be mostly autobiographical gives the emotional impact that much more power.  Sherman was the only Indian to leave his reservation to go to an all white high school.  Funny and tragic in equal measure like great YA lit.  Reminded me of the best Chris Crutcher books.  I loathed Sherman’s other book this year- “Flight”  It’s so rare for me to find an author who gets two in row perfect, and Alexie fails like Chabon.

5) Alice in Sunderland-  Bryan Talbot

Mammouth graphic novel about the history of Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland, Sunderland, England, comics, and much much more.  Completely unique in graphic design and execution.  A great book to own to allow multiple readings.

6)  Evolution’s Darling-  Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld writes great YA novels, but this is definately adults only speculative fiction at its best.  Robot/Human/transhuman meta-narratives. Sentient ships/Robot Sculptors/ hot action.
A bundle o fun

7)  Spellman Files-  Lisa Lutz

Around thanksgiving when the first best of the year lists come out, I race to read a few titles that are new to me.  This debut novel about a family of kooky PIs from San Francisco was a great mystery find that had been getting wide acclaim.  Milk coming out of your nose funny.  I didn’t want it to end, and I’m thrilled there is going to be a sequel.

8)  Kampung Boy and Town Boy-  Lat

Sweet and delightful autobiographical comics from Malaysia’s most famous comics writer.  Want to know what it was like to grow in the countyside in 50’s Malaysia and then the city?
Enjoy the art as well as the warm stories.

9)  Skin Hunger-  Kathleen Duey

So you want to be a Wizard?  Not after reading this YA novel.  Two different story lines never completely come together about a farmer’s daughter who knows the old ways, and the teen age boy who is forced to be a wizard’s apprentice or die trying.  A great sense of place and pacing.

10)  Black Metal-  Rick Spears

This graphic novel was tons of Metal fun with a hilarous take on the dark myths behind all good black metal songs. Two twins reborn from an ancient demon to continue the battle for hell.  (Bloden- this one must find your home)