YA Librarian Round Table Topics

I've been the chair and co-chair of a round table for several years. We've gone through lots of topic. In September, we plan out our year, 8 months worth of topics. we go through the list of ideas everyone brings to the table and then we vote on them. Sometimes it coincides with a monthly celebration, but not always.

Usually we talk about program ideas and books (sometimes creating book lists)

I'd like to create a new list of topics for this year, but I'm having some trouble getting started on ideas.

Here's what I have so far:

Usual topics:

Hot fiction 

Summer Reading Program Ideas

Makerspace program ideas

Sci Fi/Fantasy books

Middle School Reads

Possible new ideas:

Creating or updating your teen website

Advocating for teen services 

Measuring success: programs and collection 

Collection Development

Pop Culture in the Library

Can you add your topic ideas (either ones your round table talked about successfully or ideas you wished they would talk about)???

I would appreciate it!

A Visit to Random House

On Monday I had the good fortune to accompany the Western CT YA Librarian Round Table to Random House. It's a crazy long travel day (6 hours total), but it was worth it! We got there a little bit early and had time to look around the lobby. They had bookcases on the two walls filled with books from the pasts century. Of course I just had to take pictures.

We then met Wendy Lamb who took the group of 13 librarians to her office, where we talked about book covers, the editing process, and we got to take a quick peek at a few manuscripts. We then chatted with Stephanie who talked with us about pictures books.

Did you know that an author and illustrator might never meet?
We got to see some art and take a look at the process of editing a picture book manuscript including art and the written world. F&G (Fold and Gather) is how pictures books are printed to take a look at color. It's ARC of the picture books.

We then took of tour of where all the magic happens.

They have a awesome wall for illustrators (when they moved - they moved the wall too)
Look, it's Babymouse!!!

It's Duck and Goose

Then we had lunch while chatting with several lovely editors/publishers/interns. We talked about book covers, social media and teens, e-readers vs print books, and of course upcoming books.

Here are the ones that I can't wait to read:

Beautiful and the Cursed (which I found an ARC in my goodie bag - there might have been squealing). Set in Paris - with gargoyles who are protectors. A missing brother. A Forbidden Romance.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: This sounds super duper fun! Lots of puzzles. Kids overnight in the library. Tagged as a cross between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and A Night in the Museum.

Gated: Contemporary Dystopian - a gated community after 9/11. One girl meets a boy outside the compound and has to ask herself some tough questions.

Pinterest for Libraries

I gave a short presentation last week at a YA Librarian meeting about using Pinterest in Libraries.

Here's a link to my PREZI presentation: http://prezi.com/lt5byc-wh19k/pinterest/

I discovered Prezi at the YA Lit Symposium and days later made my first use of it.

SLJ SummerTeen Celebration of YA Books: Wrap up

On Thursday several YA Librarians and I met at the Willimantic Service Center to participate in the celebration. It was great meeting with friends and talking about how are summer went (most of the SRPs are over). Plus it was great to hear about forthcoming titles and hear authors talk about their works, their thoughts, and their views on the market.

It was a virtual conference, which was really neat, but different with so many of us. We voted on the webinars we wanted to watch. I'm really looking forward to viewing the rest next week when they're archived.

Caroline B Cooney spoke first, as the keynote speaker. She was fabulous. She talked about her inspiration to the Janie books - and how her readers contacted her demanding certain plot points. Janie Face to Face comes out early next year. From her talk, I'm going to have to read the previous books so I can be ready in January. She also shared her favorite librarian story!

Next we listened to Who Will Mend The Broken Heart with Earl Sewell, Lurlene McDaniel, Miranda Kenneally and Katie Kacvinsky - moderated by Terri Clark.

Katie Kacvinsky spoke first sharing a high school memory when her teacher asked about love at first sight. She remembers two girls and their answers. Their answers along with her beliefs help her write about relationships that take time and work to create love. I'm adding her books to my TRB list

Lurlene McDaniel spoke about her views on the ultimate villain - death. Love can overcome death. She talked about how her life changed when her son became very ill - which shaped her writing. She also loves the topic of heart transplant. She has a new series coming out this fall about the definitions of love starting with Year of Luminous Love. She'll be updating her website with a brand new look to coincide to the book's release. I borrowed tons of her books from my high school BFF. I devoured them and was always happy when she had a new one!

Earl Sewell spoke about his unique writing approach - to teen romances written in the voice of a teen girl. His teen daughter helps him write authentically, but he jokes that he also channels his inner 16 year old girl too. He also does his research - reading Cosmo and teen magazines and social networking sites. He writes fiction that gives his readers a lot to think about and testing relationships to see if they're strong enough. I need to add his books to my TBR list.

Miranda Kenneally wanted to read more contemporary YA novels growing up. She was always changing herself to fit the guy she was crushing over. She feels badly now that she missed out on not being herself and other opportunities that came her way. She hopes that her books reflect her feelings and teens learn to be themselves. I can't wait to read her upcoming books!

In Classic Twists, the presenters were Marissa Meyers, Sean Michael Wilson, and Gareth Hinds - moderated by Leslie Bermel. Each presenter showcased their novels.

Marissa Meyers's Lunar Chronicles will have four titles: Scarlet (Red Riding Hood), Crest (Rapunzel), and Winter (Snow White). She fell into writing through fan-fiction for Sailor Moon - where teen princesses were always the main characters. I'll on the lookout for the other lunar Chronicles books

Sean Michael Wilson spoke about adapting classics in graphic novels. He showed pages of his work and talked about the art. He lives in Japan, but he's Scottish. He talked a little bit about working for books for Japan, the UK, and the US and the differences in styles. I must get some of these books for the library.

Gareth Hinds talked about working on his dream project - The Odyssey as well as his other books. He spoke about adapting Shakespeare in graphic novel form and how well it works out as Shakespeare adapts to the format as it's a work meant primarily to been seen.  I must get some of these books for the library.

In Rockin' Women of YA, we heard from Maggie Stiefvater, A.S. King, Jackie Kessler, and Nina LaCour.  They were moderated by Betsy Bird. This portion was different as it was done as a webcast. Betsy asked questions and each author responded.

All in all, there were lots of great titles shared. Many I will be adding to the library collection and several I will be reading myself. I love talking about Teen Literature!

I'm over at Library Lions

Check out my interview with Janet Lee Carey - on Library Lions - a place for librarians to ROAR....

Introducing Jessica Miller: I READ TO RELAX

A colleague and friend of mine started up a new blog called I READ TO RELAX, so I decided to ask her a few questions about her blog, her library work, and her reading habits as welcome to the blogging community. Jessica works as the YA Librarian in New Britain Public Library in CT. We both acknowledge that we cyber stalk our favorite authors and love chatting about books.

Hi Jessica!

What made you start up your own blog?

I was inspired by many of the other blogs that I follow by authors, librarians, and even just for fun (like Sea of Shoes – great fashion, shoes, travel, etc!!), including your own blog…yabooknerd! I wanted to be able to tell other librarians, especially, about books that I’ve read because not only does it help me keep track of what I’ve read, but I also know how much I’ve come to depend on other librarians’ opinions and discoveries of books to help me in my ordering for the library. I’m hoping to pass on the wealth of knowledge so to speak, because it is impossible for any of us to read everything that’s out there!!

That is so true, I have a list of books I'm dying to read and it's always nice to see what someone else has to say about it.

What makes your blog unique, besides being a librarian blog?

Hmm…I don’t really know! It’s still new, but it focuses mostly on fantasy, sci-fi, and “paranormal” books (because that’s what I’m compelled to read) and so it can really help someone become more familiar with books in these genres, if they are not what they typically read. I’m also going to try and intersperse those reviews with fun things, like book trailers, commentary, and connections to other entertainment formats like movies, etc.

Will you have set days or specific posts? Like Waiting on Wednesday or Tween Tuesday?

I hadn’t really thought about that yet. So far, no…but I do like the Tween idea…twice a month we do tween programs at our library, maybe I’ll post about those programs or books in the tween age group. I’m actually getting new ideas from answering your questions, which is great!

Did you make the book trailer Rampant?

I did. It was my first attempt. I hope it came out okay! I just really loved that book, killer unicorns, come on, how could you not be intrigued by that? So, I decided I had to blog about it and wanted to try out the onetruemedia.com software. It was actually easier than I thought it would be…and more fun!

I think it's cute. It's one definitely one book in my pile to read.

Books:

Do you have a favorite type/genre of books?

I seem to be hopelessly hooked on fantasy/science fiction. Now, if you are a true fantasy/sci-fi reader, you know there is a difference, and there are many subgenres! I basically love all fantasies…high, low, dark, funny, etc., but I’m pickier about my science-fiction. I still want the book to be really character based (like Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card) rather than mostly technological. The sub-genres that I’ve really gotten into lately are dystopia (post-apocalyptic) like Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer, steampunk (historical/futuristic) like Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, or paranormal like Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne. I’ll read almost anything you throw at me, but those are the books that I HAVE to pick up!

Do you have books you always recommend?

Different books for different audiences…I like to recommend Tamora Pierce’s books for their strong female characters, especially to tween girls that like fantasies. I like to recommend the Pendragon series by D.J. MacHale to teen boys looking for adventure. For girls looking for romance, I constantly try to recommend Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt. I recommend Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer and Feed by M.T. Anderson a lot too. With the current Twilight mania, I like to recommend the Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine, Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill, and the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead to those looking for read-alikes.

Oh I adore the Rachel Caine series and the Chicagoland Vampires series and Vampire Academy. It seems like we have pretty similar tastes in reading!

How many books do you read in a week, month, year?

Between reading and listening to audiobooks (I have a 45min-1 hour commute each way to work) I average around 20 books a month. I love to read every day!

Nice! I get super grumpy when I don't have time to read.

Who’s your latest favorite author?

It’s funny…you actually recommended my newest favorite author. I am really into Maria Snyder’s books right now. With all of the teen fiction that is being pumped out right now, it’s easy to read some that have great plot ideas, but suffer in other ways. The characters aren’t developed or the writing itself isn’t that good, or the plot just peters off before the end. Snyder’s books are technically good, have interesting plots and twists, and have wonderful characters. I’m actually hoping to receive her Study trilogy for Christmas this year!

She's awesome. I'd love to meet her. According to her myspace blog, she just finished writing Spy Glass!

Where do you read best? Do you have a specific set up?

I love to listen to audiobooks whenever I’m alone in the car. I love the sensation of having a book read to me…especially children’s or teen books, because they are dramatized almost like plays. For actual reading, though, I like to read in my favorite corner of the couch on the weekends with a hot cup of tea or coffee and a blanket or I read every night for 30-90 minutes in bed. My husband is really forgiving of my constant use of the bedside lamp!

Library:

What do you like best about working with teens?

I like the energy that teens bring to any situation. You cannot be passive in your job if you work with teens…they make you move and engage constantly. I also really love that moment of true connection when you can have a full length conversation with a teen or when they come back to you because, “you recommend really good books!” It gives me the excuse to indulge that part of me that does not totally want to grow up.

I love that part too!

What’s your favorite type of program to host?

Hmmm…I love that I get paid to watch movies…no, I’m just kidding! Sort of. Anyway, I really love our “Tween Time” programs. We have a group of tweens that come every other Wednesday, so we mix it up with craft programs, book based programs, physical programs, and whatever we can think of to throw at them. My absolute favorites are ones where we can connect a book to cool activities and get the kids curious enough to check out the book!

Sounds really fun.

Generic:

What awesome authors have you met?

Susan Beth Pfeffer. Natasha Friend. There have been a few others, but they were not as wonderful in person as these two!

Listing of your favorites:

Candy skittles

Pizza topping mashed potatoes (I know it sounds gross, but it’s part of a specialty pizza with three cheeses and ham…tastes just like a twice baked potato)

Genre of books ultimately…fantasy, but only by a small margin

Singer and/or Song cheesy, but right now it’s Ashley Tisdale, I like to bop when I’m listening to music, second is Clutch.

Restaurant Olive Garden

TV show /Movie America’s Next Top Model, Torchwood, Gossip Girl, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Enchanted, Ella Enchanted, Casino Royale, and many, many more…I love to zone out in front of the tube when I’m not reading!!

Color Any shade of blue

Shoe Ahhh…I have these gorgeous flowered heels by Steve Madden…

Video Game Wii Bowling!

Favorite Food Cornish Pasty (found in England)

Favorite Country I’ve Visited: Wales

Thanks for chatting with me Jess and be sure to check out her new blog!

Display Ideas Page for Librarians/Bookstores

Looking for some book display ideas?

Check out the NEW page on our Eastern CT YA Librarian's page for a list of topics and potential props!