Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

Well, I'm back. 

I know I've been MIA for a while.  Things going on all over the place necessitated my attention and pleasure reading kinda fell by the wayside. 

BUT, I think things are working themselves out and I will have some more time for me and my books.

So....

This came in on our last water order.  It really looked intriguing, so I took it out.  It sat for a while (see above), but once I started, I couldn't put it down.  It was REALLY good.

Until....

the last 5 or so pages.

As I was eagerly turning pages looking for the conclusion, it worried me there was simply not enough paper left to wrap up everything-----------TO BE CONTINUED. 

I AM SO MAD RIGHT NOW.

Synopsis: a rich man opens a school for talented, gifted, artsy, musical, different, etc. children in the woods of Vermont in the 1930s.  He, his wife, and their young daughter live on the grounds, throwing fabulous parties with society guests of the time.  One day his wife and daughter are kidnapped and held for ransom.  During the plot, a student who inadvertently stumbles onto the kidnapper is murdered.  80 years later, Stevie Bell applies to the school with the the sole goal of solving the case. 

The story is told alternating between past and present.

The sequel in on our wish list.

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All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

This came in our last order as a bestseller.  I'm not sure how or why. 

Weird, weird, weird.

I gave up at reading at page 73 and flipped to the ending.  Ugh. 

This was along the lines of Alice in Wonderland with the main characters being twin girls named Jack and Jill.

I can't even type words to express how weird and bizarre this was.

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.

Follow me on Twitter @RamblingsLMS

Donors Choose

I have two active projects on Donors Choose!
Check out the Library's requests for a Cricut machine and memoirs in Spanish!

donorschoose.org/mrswoychowski

The Lords and The New Creatures by Jim Morrison

Last May a student asked for an updated biography of Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors.  When I searched on our distributor's website, I found this collection of Morrison's poetry, originally published in 1969 as two separate volumes.  I knew my student would really like it, so I put it on our wish list.  It came in on our district funded order this summer.

Morrison was a larger than life band frontman.  His lyrics and vocals are widely recognizable, locally known as the voice behind "blood in the streets of New Haven" ("Peace Frog").  Arrested in New Haven in 1967, his poetry represents the "tumultuous social and political landscape of the sixties" (cover summary).  Written in free verse, these poems are a window to life experience influenced by psychedelic drugs.

Find this on our new book display next week.

Follow me on Twitter @RamblingsLMS

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W. 

Artemis by Andy Weir

After The Martian, I had seriously high expectations for Artemis.  Weir did not disappoint.

I could not put this down!

Jasmine is a lower-class citizen on the moon colony Artemis.  Working as a porter in the delivery system, she has a substantial side business in smuggling.  When a lucrative, but dangerous, side job comes up, she jumps on it, hoping to pay off a long-standing debt and get out of the slums.  I don't want to spoil too much here because this is a total thriller!

What is really amazing about Weir's writing is that if you didn't know moon colonization hasn't happened yet, you'd believe this story was possible.  You really feel immersed in a landscape humans haven't been to in a very long time.

Find this on next week's NEW BOOKS display.

Follow me on Twitter @RamblingsLMS

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.     

The Burning Girl by Claire Messud

Eh.

I really wanted to stop reading this multiple times.  There is a long story about two friends from pre-school growing apart as they reach high school.  Pretty typical back story.  I kept waiting for something to happen.  One best friend ends up in Honors classes (two loving parents/happily married), the other a promiscuous/drinking/remedial class delinquent (single Mom, new boyfriend/stepfather of a different religion).

There was really nothing new, different, or exciting here.  I'm kinda sad I even bought it.

Follow me on Twitter @RamblingsLMS

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.

Welcome Back!

It's the last day of summer vacation for my students (teachers started Thursday).  So, it's time for a little welcome back post info.  I took a break from reviewing due to Band rehearsals and some personal reflection time, so I apologize for being MIA for a while.

First, the end of last year was very sad.  Mrs. Lynch retired and Mrs. Treacey was, well, I'm not sure what to call it.  Her position was eliminated, but she wasn't really laid off...if that makes any sense.  On the new WHHS Library site, I called her "retired", but that's not really true either.  She was an invaluable part of our family, and I don't know what else I can say except I will miss her, you will miss her, and it just plain stinks that she will not be the face greeting you every day.

Second, we will be changing up who you see and when.  Mr. Vieira from the Social Studies Department will be in the Library period 3 3 days a week, Mrs. Mattson from the English Department will be joining us period 4 3 days a week, and Ms. Palmer from the Social Studies Department will be with us period 8 3 days a week.  You won't see me period 8 because I will be in the Band room with our Color Guard.  Mrs. Taylor will of course be with us, and hopefully through the entire school year, even if I have to duct tape her to the chair.  Mr. Winters is returning to the Library as his home base, and you'll likely find him in the newly named Marilyn Lynch Computer Lab.  Also, Mrs. Tremblay will be stopping by to help us out when she can.

Another change is how you will sign in this year--electronically.  A laptop on Mrs. Treacey's former desk will now be where you sign in.  It's easy, no worries.  It'll go faster as everyone gets used to it.

I know there is a lot changing, and it terrifies me!  So, let's get through it together.  I can't wait to see you all!

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.

Follow me on Twitter @RamblingsLMS!