Ok, so we’re a month plus into 2013 and I’ve finally, finally! started a 2013 title. (Just One Day, by Gayle Forman, in case you wondered.) And now I need to decide what to read next. So let’s talk 2013 publications that belong on the contenda list already, whether for critical acclaim (by which I [...]
More on the Awards
Watching the Awards…
Trying to liveblog here. This might be an Epic Fail, but doing my best! Lots of good stuff on the Alex list, including Mr. Penumbra, which I started last night on the rec of a teen and am adoring. Schneider skewed young this year, so I have zero intelligent commentary. Stonewall: Yay Drama! Gone, Gone, [...]
All You Never Wanted
Another (and last for the year) guest post from pinch-hitter Joy Piedmont. This time, Joy raves about a book that made the contenda list with three stars but mostly deserves recognition as a serious buzz book. I’m a long time fan of Adele Griffin’s, and this is, I think, a stronger candidate than her last [...]
Mock Printzing the Weekend Away
On Saturday, Someday joined forces with HVLA to host a proper Mock Printz. (And speaking of mock awards, if you haven’t already, hop on over to Heavy Medal for the deets on their Mock Newbery. Riveting reading!) Our first ever live Mock event was a little chaotic (we learn by doing) and completely fantastic. Joy [...]
Lots of Unfinished Books
Bomb
Guest blogger Joy Piedmont is back (and I think we’ll be taking advantage of her at least once more before the season is done!), covering another major nonfiction title of 2012. Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, Steve Sheinkin Flash Point, September 2012 Reviewed from final copy When I say, “World [...]
The Brides of Rollrock Island
The Brides of Rollrock Island, Margo Lanagan Knopf, September 2012 Reviewed from ARC My first draft for this post, which sat in WordPress for two weeks, taunting me, read as follows: “So much to say! And none of it coherent!” You know how I delayed and delayed writing about The Raven Boys? And then was [...]
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece
Another guest post from Joy Piedmont, who is saving our bacon at this crunch time, as we realize just how many books we haven’t read yet! My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, Annabel Pitcher Little, Brown, August 2012 Reviewed from an ARC Annabel Pitcher’s debut novel has earned four starred reviews landed on Kirkus’ Best [...]
The Raven Boys, at Long Last
The Raven Boys, Maggie Stiefvater Scholastic Press, September 2012 Reviewed from ARC So, I’m ready to talk about The Raven Boys. I’ve read it twice. I really really like it. Maggie Stiefvater clearly grew up drinking from the same story well as I did, and this is one that hits pretty much all my buttons. [...]
The Diviners: Divine, and the Bee’s Knees Too!
One of the best things about having progressed from new librarian to rapidly aging librarian is the opportunity to work with bright young things. Former colleague Clair Segal is now the library technology coordinator at an independent school in NYC, and has graciously agreed to guest blog for us once again, this time about Libba [...]
We’re ba-ack!
Where We At?
You might, perhaps, have noticed the blog has been slow. You might have found yourself, say, spending scads of money on Thinkgeek or Onlineshoes or Etsy while waiting for a blog post to load. Oh, was that just me? Well, I’ll have some happy relatives come Christmas. But you know what I am talking about, [...]
December Blahs
Roundup: Vaguely Paranormal
Paranormal fantasy, which is to say fiction with a fantastic angle, but not set in a secondary world, with at least one character who is not human or not, technically, alive, and a romance plot or subplot, continues to go strong. (Even if we, as adults who have seen vast quantities of formulaic fiction pass [...]
Another Year-End List, with STATS!
My Book of Life By Angel
My Book of Life by Angel, Martine Leavitt Margaret Ferguson Books, Farrar Straus Giroux, September 2012 Reviewed from ARC A four star book from an author whose last book netted an NBA finalist nod? Yes please! But just to put it right out there — Leavitt’s latest is nothing like Keturah and Lord Death, with [...]
My Book of Life By Angel
My Book of Life by Angel, Martine Leavitt
Margaret Ferguson Books, Farrar Straus Giroux, September 2012
Reviewed from ARC
A four star book from an author whose last book netted an NBA finalist nod?
Yes please!
But just to put it right out there — Leavitt’s latest is nothing like Keturah and Lord Death, with its mythopoeic elements and historical/fantastical [...]
What a Day!
Today we had not one but two great lists (I’d like to say “that go great together,” but actually there is zero overlap). First, the morning greeted me with the Morris shortlist, which I wasn’t expecting until Monday, and settled the pesky question of whether Seraphina counts as a debut. (It does, clearly, since it [...]






