The Librarians Suggest

Need help finding something to read for your tween or just enjoy reading children's literature yourself? While I have one reading challenge going on, I also have another that I'm working on . As the children's librarian, I want to make sure I'm well read within the collection we have at our library as well as working to expand the diversity of the material. But for now, if you (or your child) is in an adventurous mood, two older titles, Help, I'm a Prisoner in the Library  (published in 1979) and Doll Bones , two new series and an interesting new story with The Great Hibernation are great picks for the adventure seeker.  (amazon) 

Keeping his secret of wearing dresses and taking Paris by storm as Lady Crystalia, (only the hottest fashion icon in the capital of fashion), Prince Sebastian's parents are looking for a bride. Forget the women his parents are trying to set him up with, Sebastian would rather twirl in his one of a kind gowns and Frances, his dressmaker. A beautifully crafted story that acknowledges gender fluidity and explores love, this is sure to be a graphic novel you will come back to again and again. And if you enjoy this author and these illustrations as much as Jade and I do, then follow Jen Wang .  Post by Sarah. ( 1 , 2 , 3 )

Jade’s graphic novel read of the week!   For updates on the web comic, check it out  here . What have you been reading? 

While working on curating book lists for monthly orders, I was researching the relevancy of Little Gold Books , and it turns out there just as popular as they were twenty years ago. I couldn't tell you how many my mom collected when we were kids, they were a big part of our reading. I'm glad to say my mother has kept all our kids books and our stash of those little gold spines. If you want to watch and learn more about Little Golden Books , this will brighten your day. 

The Vogue goddess and Queen Bee herself,  Majorie Hillis  wrote two books that defined her writing career, an etiquette/how-to/guide to life for the single woman in  Live Alone and Like It   and Orchids On Your Budget .  While giggling in bed as I was reading this, I found myself rushing through my nightly routine so I could get back in bed and finish where I had left off the night before. I found myself  seriously taking notes on how to live my life to the fullest and how to embrace my life as it is. Majorie became an icon and guru of sorts to single women all over American and I for one, a thirty-something in 2018 am one of those woman who holds her words to be sacred. The newest book by Joanna Scutts, The Extra Woman , dives deeper into the culture of single ladies of the 20 and beyond.  Her follow up,  Orchids on Your Budget by Majorie Hillis :  Majorie Hillis , also became an instant success. Sarah discovered her first book, ...

On Wednesday we read books with pink covers. 

About that feminist book club we'd like to start, I say this should be the first pick? If you could start your very own book club, would you make it specific or broad and general? What's your favorite subject when it comes to reading? A non-fiction book club, a book club that focuses on just female authors? We'd love to know! 

If there's one thing Sarah loves - it's picture books, nonfiction works and good old fashion picture books. Nevermind the stacks and piles of adult literature living in her house, you should see her collection of kid's books. Madeline, Angelina Ballerina, Corduroy and Charlie the Caterpillar are just a few of her favorites. What story did you make your parents read to you over and over as a child?  

Like last year, one of Sarah's resolutions was to read more. This year, she's expanding upon that trying to read more diversely, not just across genres but cultures and authors as well. Having a fascination with Indian culture and religion as a young girl, Sarah was immediately drawn to the graphics of Pashmina . Realizing it was a graphic novel, made it all the better. Pashmina   is a beautifully illustrated tween coming of age story intertwined with clashing cultures and mythology. With gorgeous graphics, Sarah is excited for this debut author! 

In the likeness of Jade's reading goals, Sarah is also trying to read a graphic novel a week. Ever since Sarah fell in love with LUMBERJANES first written and illustrated by Noelle Stevenson, Nimona was an obvious first graphic novel choice for this year. What graphic novels have you been reading lately? 

Sarah first started reading Outwitting the Gestapo  as required reading in a college history course. Given that Sarah favored the humanities over the sciences, the reading list was endless and alas she never finished Lucie's story . But her intention to read it this year for one of her eight reading challenges , she's almost sure she'll fall head over heels with Lucie Aubrac . What we know is that Lucie was a French history teacher and member of the French Resistance during World War II. A prominent figure in the resistance, in 1944 Charles de Gaulle appointed a consultative assembly, in which Lucie  joined as a resistance representative. This made her the first woman to sit in a French parliamentary assembly. In 1945 she went on to write the first short history of the French Resistance . This book,   Outwitting The Gestapo   is a semi-fictional version of Lucie's wartime diaries and is an important piece of history and women's history. 

First read of the year. Also, Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a mad and tragic genius.  After reading the much talked about New Yorker piece,  'Cat Person,'  I found  The Yellow Wallpaper   at my local library and read it in one sitting. A masterpiece and clearly a relevant work of fiction that speaks to women even today, I cannot say enough how much I loved this story. Not even kidding, I spent the next week finding ways to bring it up in conversation whether with coworkers or family members. Drawn heavily from the writer's own experience,  The Yellow Wallpaper  is a must for every woman. Also, the reference to The Yellow Wallpaper in Darren Aronofsky latest film, Mother was spot on. 

Tolstoy is usually the first Russian fiction people start reading, Bukgakov is just as much a literary genius! I seriously cannot put this down! "Follow me, reader! Whoever told you there is no such thing in the world as real, true, everlasting love? May the liar have his despicable tongue cut out! Follow me, my reader, and only me, and I"ll show you that kind of love." 

If there was one word that summed up the three of us it would be Janeite. We all swoon over Darcy, and by Darcy we mean, Colin Firth. We've read Pride and Prejudice one, two, or more than three times and the rest of her works as well as everything else that has been inspired by Jane's books. To the original girl boss, happy birthday our beloved heroine. 

"Like anyone who goes to the bookstore, I wasn't there to buy books. I do that on the internet at, like, 50% off and free shipping and no tax. Oh my god, $28.95 for a book? But luckily, this time, I made an exception because if there's one thing that I can never resist, it's a good tote bag. [To guy in the bookstore standing close to her] Hey, are you gonna buy that book?" From the greatest person who ever lived, well close - Mindy Kaling. I definitely picked this up in the 50% section at Barnes and Noble.  What have you been reading lately?  

As one of the hottest books right now, this is one is at the top of the lists to order. Who says you can't live alone and be happy. I swear by this author. 

Among the many new cookbooks that came out this year, this one is at the top of our list. Definitely adding to our long list of cookbooks to not just order for the library but for our personal collections as well. Also completely judging this cookbook by it's cover! 

Another great set of stories from Megan Mayhew Bergman! 

Bitch Planet  by Kelly Sue DeConnick: The first book in a series of adult graphic novels,  Bitch Planet  focuses on exploitation and women in an off-planet prison. The narrative moves back and forth through time, so we learn how each character is arrested and their experience within the prison. Although I quit after a few seasons, it's basically  Orange is the New Black  but infinitely better.  

Loving this cover.