LIT²

“We read to know we’re not alone.”

The Monstrumologist 

by Rick Yancey

Yancey, R. (2009). The Monstrumologist (S. Boyer, Narrator) [Audiobook]. Recorded Books. ASIN: B002UQ93XM; $19.59

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“Yes, my dear child, monsters are real. I happen to have one hanging in my basement.” (Rick Yancey, The Monstrumologist)

This dark, horrifying tale is posthumously told through the first three journals of William “Will” Henry that were discovered in 2007 (making him 131 years old). The story takes place in a small town in New England called New Jerusalem in 1888. Twelve-year-old Will became an apprentice for Dr. Pellinore Warthrop after his parents tragically died in a house fire; his father worked for the doctor prior to his death. Dr. Warthrop is a wealthy and strange old man, and his vocation is even stranger: he is a monstrumologist. The first journal begins with a visit from Erasmus Gray, a grave robber who happened to come across a dead monster wrapped around the body of a young girl. Dr. Warthrop immediately identifies the monster as an Anthropophagi, a man-eating creature that is native to Africa. So, how did it get to New Jerusalem? And how many more were there? After a family is massacred in their home with only the eldest boy surviving, Dr. Warthrop takes Will on a monster-hunting adventure. As the investigation delves deeper into the cause of the ravenous creatures’ presence, Dr. Warthrop and Will are forced to confront familial monsters from their past, and what they discover may be more than a lone monstrumologist and his young apprentice could have ever imagined.

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey is rapturous and will leave horror fans begging for more. I typically do not listen to audiobooks (there are few things I love more than the feeling of a book in my hands); however, I decided to give this one a try since it had won an award for being an amazing audiobook. The experience surpassed all my expectations. Yancey’s eloquent and descriptive writing allowed me to envision every moment, even when I wished I couldn’t (he does not hold back in the gore and gruesome department), and the narrator, Steven Boyer, was superb. The story is more than just a monster-hunting expedition as it includes underlying themes of humans and the natural world, family, fathers and sons, fear, and how the choices we make define who we are. There is also a mystery aspect to this novel that adds to the suspense and will keep you guessing until the end! I give this monstrous horror masterpiece a LIT-rating of five out five and recommend it for ages 12+.

Awards and accolades: 2009 Booklist Starred Review; 2009 Florida Book Award for Young Adult Literature (Silver Medal Winner); ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2010); Michael L. Printz Award (2010); ALA Amazing Audiobook for Young Adults (2010); 2011 Tayshas Reading for Young Adult (Commended); 2011 Texas Lone Star Reading List for Young Adult (Commended); 2011 Volunteer State Book Award for Young Adult (nominee); 2012 Green Mountain Book Award for Grades 9-12 (nominee); and 2012 Young Reader’s Choice Award for Senior/Grades 10-12 (nominee)

Book Cover Image: Dorfman, J., & Cummins, L.R. (2009). The Monstrumologist [Book Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/2DSntin

The Monstrumologist Rick Yancey Book Trailer

Check out the entire Monstrumologist series by Rick Yancey!

The Monstrumologist (2009)

The Curse of the Wendigo (2010)

The Isle of Blood (2011)

The Final Descent (2013)

Wytches, Volume 1  by Scott Snyder (story), Jock (art), Matt Hollingsworth (colors), Clem Robins (letters), and David Brothers (editor)

Snyder, S., Jock, Hollingsworth, M., & Robins, C. (2015). Wytches (Vol. 1) (D. Brothers, Ed.). Berkeley, CA: Image Comics. ISBN-13: 978-1632153807; paperback; $9.13

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“Pledged is pledged.” (Snyder, 2015)

Sailor “Sail” Rooks is an anxious thirteen-year-old who has just moved to Litchfield, New Hampshire with her mother, Lucy, who is confined to a wheelchair after a terrible accident, and her father, Charlie, who is a comic book writer with an alcoholic past. Since this is a graphic novel, the story is told through colorful illustrated panels [watch video to view examples]. Some backstory: The Rooks family decided to move to Litchfield after Sail’s malicious school bully named Annie went missing after the two had a confrontation in the woods, and only Sail knows what really happened the day. Moreover, the Rooks family is unaware that their new hometown also has a secret: Wytches, described by local Clara Poirot as “evolution gone wrong. Mutations from thousands of years ago. Maybe formed apart from us, in the ground.” So, when Sail is awoken one night by one of these strange beings the real story behind the Wytches and the meaning of “pledged is pledged” is revealed, and Sail finds herself fighting the ultimate battle…for her life.  

Wytches, Volume 1, written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Jock, is a spectacular and horrifying work of art and literature. Not only is it a horror comic about witches (I mean wytches) that is terrifying (the illustrations will give you chills), but it is also a comic about how crappy parents and the family home can be, along with the added fears of being a teenager (with an underlying message that parenting can be equally as frightening). Sail is nervous, anxious, and bullied at school, her dad was a neglectful alcoholic consumed with his work, while her mom, well, she suffered a terrible accident and can no longer walk. The fears of the characters are genuine and relatable, even when they are dealing with supernatural creatures (or are they?). Also, one of the coolest elements of this novel is the back matter: Snyder provides commentary on what inspired him to write this story and the colorists process is outlined in case you happen to be interested in the field. I can’t wait to read the rest of this limited series (there are FIVE more!) and I give this graphic novel a LIT-rating of five out five. Recommended for ages 15+. Rated M/Mature. (144 pages)

Awards and accolades: 2016 Bram Stoker nomination

Book Cover Image: Jock, & Hollingsworth, M. (2015). Wytches, Volume 1 [Book Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/2zwJ1xY

Wytches Vol. 1 Review

ComicsGuide101 recommends this graphic novel as a “borrow” due to Hollingsworth choice of coloring over Jock’s incredible art. Lucky for you, I’m sure your local library has this horror comic available for borrow now!

Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe 

by Edgar Allan Poe

Supplementary materials written by Charles Brower and series edited by Cynthia Brantley Johnson

Poe, E. A., & Brower, C. (2007). Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe (C. B. Johnson, Ed.). New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. ISBN-13: 978-1416534761; paperback; $5.35

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“And now have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over acuteness of the senses?” (Poe, The Tell-Tale Heart, p. 6)

From creepy characters in haunted houses, dead lovers that refuse to move on, torture chambers, a dead cat that stalks its killer, the perfect murder, and supernatural forces to exploring the realms of guilt, obsession, death, deception and madness—this collection has it all. These short stories and poems will make you want to curl up with a blanket on dark and gloomy nights and get lost in the macabre and strange world of the original master of gothic horror, Edgar Allan Poe.

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) suffered from severe bouts of depression which is reflected in his prose and verse. “He wrote about two sides of the life of the mind: the mind deranged by guilt, desire, or loss; and the rational mind that can impose order on a seemingly incomprehensible world” (Brower, 2007, x). Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe (part of Enriched Classics) is a compilation of the gothic master’s classic works including thirteen short stories and twenty-five poems. Should you be interested, there is also a brief personal history on Poe and the significance of his work as well as helpful interpretive notes, critical excerpts, and reading recommendations (making this an excellent addition in the classroom or library). The best part of this format is the freedom it offers. For instance, if you happen to not be enjoying The Masque of the Red Death, then you can skip it and move on to one of Poe’s most popular stories, The Fall of the House of Usher, or you can simply jump ahead to his poetry and delve into The Raven and Annabel Lee! Some people find Poe to be challenging to read, but I find that if you give him a chance and open yourself up to his madness and rather sly sense of humor, you will not be disappointed. I give this collection of gothic horror classics a LIT-rating of five out five and recommend it for ages 14+. (432 pages)

Book Cover Image: Ventura, M, & Lee, J.M. (2007). Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe [Book Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/2TRAM89

Why should you read Edgar Allan Poe? - Scott Peeples

Anna Dressed in Blood

by Kendare Blake

Blake, K. (2011). Anna Dressed in Blood. New York, NY: Tor Teen. ISBN-13: 978-0765328670; paperback; $7.98

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“Move, hunt, kill. Like lather, rinse, and repeat.” (Blake, 2011, p. 165)

Cassio “Cas” Lowood is not your average 17-year-old. Why you might ask? Well, following in his father’s footsteps, he has acquired a unique vocation: he is a ghost hunter. That’s right, Cas, equipped with his father’s athame, ghost-killing knife, his Wiccan mother (aka witch) and Tybalt, their ghost-sniffing cat, travel from town to town hunting and killing malevolent spirits, ghosts, demons and other dangerous paranormal entities that wish to harm humans during their afterlife. Per Cas, “Our life isn’t quiet. It isn’t other lives, where there are roots and routines. We’re a traveling circus” (21). Early on, the group heads to Thunder Bay, Ontario to take care of killer-ghost Anna Kolov, a 16-year-old girl who had been murdered in 1958 and had already murdered 27 teenagers in the last half century. Cas quickly realizes that this will be his most challenging case yet (for more reasons than you may think) and teams up with Thomas, a geeky telepathic, and Carmel, the high school’s popular “queen bee.” As Cas learns more about the history of the mysterious Anna Dressed in Blood, he not only finds himself unable to “kill” her, but he also discovers that there is another demon after him, one from his past, which may be even more sinister than the rest.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake is a creepy read with an added dash of charm. Blake’s descriptive style makes you feel like you are a part of the story (even during the most gruesome moments) and Cas’ witty-dark-loner-vibe makes him extremely likeable, and Anna is a compelling character. Ultimately, this novel is pure fun and perfect for anyone interested in getting into horror and wanting to start off with something a little lighter. I give this horror novel a LIT-rating of four out of five and recommend it for ages 13+. (320 pages)

Also, this is novel is book one in a two-part series—book two is Girl of Nightmares.

Awards and accolades: 2011 Kirkus Best Teen Books of the Year; NPR’s Top 5 Young Adult Novels of 2011; ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2012; Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers 2012; 2011 Cybils Award Finalist; Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nominee

Book Cover Image: Nekro (2011). Anna Dressed in Blood [Book Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/2DPoWFW

Anna Dressed in Blood - Book Trailer

Rot & Ruin

by Jonathan Maberry

Maberry, J. (2010). Rot & Ruin (First ed.). New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. ISBN-13: 978-1442402324; hardcover; $12.83

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“There are moments that define a person's whole life. Moments in which everything they are and everything they may possibly become balance on a single decision.” (Maberry, 2010, p. 233)

Fifteen-year-old Benny Imura lives in Mountainside, a rundown settlement in the mountains. Outside of the settlement fence stretches dangerous zombie-infested land known as the Rot & Ruin. At his age, Benny must contribute to society by finding himself a job, otherwise his rations will be cut in half. After much resistance, he finds that his only option is to apprentice with his older brother Tom as a zombie hunter (or “closure specialist,” as he calls it). Benny has resented his older brother ever since First Night, when Tom ran away with Benny and left their parents to die. For example, check out Benny’s thoughts on the matter: “He hated Tom for running away. He hated that Tom hadn’t stayed and helped Mom. He hated what their dad had become on that First Night all those years ago. Just as he hated what Dad had turned Mom into” (Maberry, 2011, p. 7). Still, Tom is the most experienced and respected zombie hunter in the settlement, so Benny reluctantly begins his training on how to fight and survive in the rot and ruin. During his first time in zombie-land, Benny realizes that zombies may be bad, but they were also once people, and he starts to view his brother a different light (I will not give away Tom’s approach to dealing with the zombies, I’ll let you figure that out on your own). Benny is also introduced to other prestigious zombie killers as well as a strange legend of the Lost Girl who has survived the rot and ruin for years on her own. The more Benny is exposed to this dangerous world, the more he realizes that zombies are not the only monsters, and to survive, you may find yourself not only fighting against the dead, but also the living.

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry takes places fifteen years after a zombie apocalypse, offering a unique and clever take on books about zombies (which has become a highly saturated subgenre). It has everything, some horror, fantasy, and sci-fi, as well as a great deal of suspense, and of course, humor (always necessary when dealing with flesh-eating monsters), plus, Maberry’s enticing and descriptive style makes it hard to put the book down. Rot & Ruin is ultimately a story about friendship and family, it is a coming-of-age post-apocalyptic tale of characters struggling to survive in a zombie-infested, legend-filled, rotten and ruined world. Equally awesome, this is book one in a four-part series. I give this compelling novel of the living dead (and deadly living, mwahaha) a LIT-rating of five out five and recommend it for ages 12+. (464 pages)

Awards and accolades: ALA Best Books for Young Adults; ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (Top Ten); ALA Quick Picks nominee; Abraham Lincoln Book Award Master (IL); Arkansas Teen Book Award Master list; Bram Stoker Award Finalist; Garden State Teen Book Award nominee (NJ); Gateway Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians); Keystone to Reading Book Award (PA); Nutmeg Children’s Book Award (CT); Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award nominee; South Dakota Young Adult Reading Program; Texas Lone Star Reading List; 2011 Eva Perry Mock Printz medal; 2010 Cybil Award Finalist; 2011 Cybil Award Winner; Won four out of eleven nominations for Melinda Awards (Best Plot, Best Character Development for Benny, Best First Kiss for Benny and Nix, and Best Literary Boyfriend for Tom)

Book Cover Image: Linn, L., & iStockphoto.com/Lucian (2010). Rot & Ruin [Book Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/2SeMY12

The zombie world’s gone to ROT & RUIN...

The Dead Zone 

by Stephen King

King, S. (1980). The Dead Zone. SIGNET. (Originally published in 1979). ISBN-13: 978-0451155757; paperback; $1.45

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“It was as if he had entered limbo, a weird conduit between the land of the living and that of the dead. But toward which end was he moving?” (King, 1980, p. 94)

Johnny Smith is a young high school teacher in Cleaves Mill, Maine. He is tall (the students call him Frankenstein), fun and easy going—that’s what fellow young teacher Sarah Bracknell had initially found so charming about him. However, there is much more to Johnny than just his height and charm; he has a secret—a secret that had been revealed to him at the age of six but has been forgotten over the years. Sarah and Johnny start dating and are in the throes of young love. One Halloween night, while attending the local carnival something strange happens to Johnny while playing Wheel of Fortune that scares Sarah—“…his eyes were almost black. Jekyll and Hyde, she thought, and was suddenly, senselessly, afraid of him” (38). Afterwards, Johnny takes a cab home which gets into a terrible accident leaving him in a coma for five years. When he finally wakes, the life Johnny once knew is gone: Sarah is married with a child and his mother has turned into a cult-following religious fanatic. The most shocking realization (other than finding out that he had been in a coma for five years) is that Johnny is clairvoyant; when he touches another human being he can see into their pasts and futures, except for certain areas that he calls the “dead zone.” As Johnny struggles to recover physically and mentally, the news of his gift spreads across the country and he finds himself in many strange encounters such as reuniting his doctor with a long-lost relative and helping to solve a series of gruesome murders. Desperate for a normal life, Johnny comes into contact with the devil incarnate after shaking hands with Mayor Greg Stillson, an ambitious and malevolent politician, and he experiences his most disturbing vision yet. Can Johnny save the world from devastation? Is he strong enough to survive such an endeavor?

The Dead Zone by Stephen King is a supernatural/horror novel that is different from much of his other work, especially the ones reviewed in this blog. First, it is less character-based and more plot-driven, incorporating political-suspense (that is surprisingly relevant in today’s political climate). Second, Johnny is no Stu Redman (The Stand), and is unsympathetic and, without ruining the ending, is not as redeeming as you may expect. Ultimately, the best way to describe this novel is that it is a slow-burn and requires patience at times. However, it is complex, and King still delivers in terms of intensity, suspense, fantasy, and of course, horror. I give this novel a LIT-rating of four out five and recommend it for ages 15+. (402 pages)

Awards and accolades: 1980 Locus Award Winner; 1980 Balrog Award nominee; 1983 film adaptation and 2002 television series  

Book Cover Image: Marsico, D. (1980). The Dead Zone [Book Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/2BC48QG

The Dead Zone - 1983 Movie Trailer

The Stand

by Stephen King

King, S. (2012). The Stand. New York, NY: Anchor Books. (Originally published in 1978). ISBN-13: 978-0307947307; paperback; $11.55

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“Life was such a wheel that no man could stand upon it for long. And it always, at the end, came round to the same place again.” (King, 1978, p. 1141).

The accidental release of a biological weapon results in the vast spread of a “Superflu” or deadly virus that wipes out much of the world’s population in a matter of weeks, turning vibrant towns and cities into apocalyptic badlands. In the aftermath, the novel follows three groups of survivors as they begin their quest for civilization, their journeys being led by strange and vivid dreams of Abagail Freemantle, “Mother Abagail” (who is in Boulder, Colorado or the “Free Zone”), and Randall Flagg, “the Walking Dude” or “the dark man” (who is in Las Vegas, Nevada). While Stu Redman, Glen Bateman, Frances Goldsmith and others struggle to rebuild a democratic society in Colorado, darkness grows in the desert out west. Eventually, all three groups find themselves in an epic battle between life and death; good and evil; human and supernatural; and ultimately, those who are weak and those who are willing to take The Stand.

First and foremost, are YOU willing to take The Stand? The sheer volume of this epic apocalyptic novel scares most people off before they even open to page one; it is 1,200 pages. However, I challenge you to take on this challenge because I know you will not be disappointed. Stephen King’s, The Stand is an incredible blend of horror, adventure, fantasy, realism, satire, and even romance—quite simply, it has it all. Not to mention that the dozens of characters and settings you meet are not only compelling but highly developed and at times, relatable. The suspense will have you on the edge of your seat, while Stu and Frances’ romance will pull at your heartstrings. I give this ambitious and dark novel a LIT-rating of five out of five and recommend it for ages 15+. Please note: The Stand was originally published in 1978 and there is some use of pejorative language. (1200 pages)

For comic book/graphic novel fans, The Stand has been adapted into a series of comic books by Marvel Comics! 

Awards and accolades: 1979 and 1980 Balrog Award nominee; 1979 Gandalf Award nominee; 1979 Locus Award nominee; 1979 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel nominee; 2003 ranked #53 on BBC’s The Big Read poll; in 1979 was adapted into a television miniseries and a graphic novel published by Marvel Comics.

Book Cover Image: Steadman, H., & Guip, A. (2003). The Stand [Book Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/2P13T5e

The Losers’ Club: A Stephen King Podcast

Episode 10: The Stand Pt. 1

Episode 12: The Stand Pt. 2

Episode 14: The Stand Pt. 3

‘Salem’s Lot 

by Stephen King

King, S. (2003). ‘Salem's Lot. New York, NY: Anchor Books. (Originally published in 1975). ISBN-13: 978-0345806796; paperback; $12.00

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“The town kept its secrets, and the Marsten House brooded over it like a ruined king.” (King, 2003, p. 635).

What is ‘Salem’s Lot? This novel takes you back to 1975, Jerusalem’s Lot, a small town twenty miles north of Portland, Maine; total population 1,319. It has been twenty-five years since Ben Mears, a well-known writer, has stepped foot in Jerusalem’s Lot and his reasons for returning have to do with an old mansion, the Marsten House, confronting past demons, and hopefully finding the much-needed inspiration to write his new book. Things get off to a good start when Ben meets Susan Norton, a recent college graduate, fan of his work, and “the prettiest girl in the park.” However, things quickly take a turn for the worse after a mysterious outsider named Barlow and his creepy, bald-headed partner, Straker, purchase the Marsten House. First, little Ralphie Glick goes missing while roaming through the woods with his older brother Danny. Next, something evil happens to Danny, and from there, the darkness spreads throughout the town. When Ben starts to suspect the new residents of the Marsten House are to blame he teams up with Susan, his love interest; Matt Burke, a sixty-three-year-old English teacher; Jimmy Cody, Matt’s doctor (why not?); Father Callahan, a local Irish priest (always necessary when fighting demons); and Mark Petrie, a 12-year-old smart kid who loves monsters. Will Ben and his allies be able to stop the evil forces before it turns into a ghost town, or ‘salem’s lot?

‘Salem’s Lot was Stephen King’s second published novel and it introduces themes and characters that he would continue to develop throughout his career, including writing about struggling famous writers; smart and strong kids and teens; battles between good and evil; and the imminent darkness that surrounds us all. King is a literary icon and master storyteller when it comes to horror and suspense, and ‘Salem’s Lot does not disappoint; reawakening your childhood nightmares of monsters and vampires through descriptive prose. I give suspense-filled horror novel a LIT-rating of four out of five and I recommend it for readers ages 13+. Please note: ‘Salem’s Lot was originally published in 1975 and there is some use of pejorative language. (653 pages)

Awards and accolades: 1976 World Fantasy Award nominee; 1978 ALA Best Books for Young Adults; in 1979 it was adapted into a two-part miniseries that was nominated for three primetime Emmys and an Edgar Award.

Book Cover Image: Llewellyn, R., Steadman, H., & Guip, A. (2003). ‘Salem’s Lot [Book Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/2KwHLPM

The Losers’ Club: A Stephen King Podcast!

Episode 2: ‘Salem’s Lot

Consequence of Sound’s Randall Colburn, Justin Gerber, McKenzie Gerber, and Editor-In-Chief Michael Roffman head to Jerusalem’s Lot to dissect Stephen King’s 1975 vampiric masterpiece.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy 

by Douglas Adams

Adams, D. (2017). The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. New York, NY: Del Rey. (Originally published in 1979). ISBN-13: 978-0345391803; paperback; $7.19

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“Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.” (Adams, 1979, p. 21)

This story is so surreal and strange, and filled with so many weird and unexplainable events, that it is nearly impossible to describe in a few brief sentences; however, I will try. The story begins (and ends) with Arthur Dent, a normal, middle-aged Englishman—tall, single, works in local radio, loves his tea—who lives a very average and boring life. That is until he awakes one morning to discover three life-changing facts: first, his house is about to be demolished so a bypass can be built, second, his pal, Ford Prefect, is in fact, an alien from the planet Betelgeuse who has been trapped on Earth for 15 years, and third, Arthur has much bigger problems than his hangover and the loss of his house: the Vogons, “one of the most unpleasant races in the Galaxy,” are minutes away and about to destroy Earth (48).

Luckily, Prefect happens to be a roving researcher for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which is an electronic book that “tells you everything you need to know about anything” (47) and, conveniently, has a plan for how they will escape—hitch a ride on the Earth-destroyer’s ship seconds before the blast.

From there, everything just gets weirder, especially after Arthur and Prefect are rescued by Prefect’s two-headed, three-armed hippie-semi-cousin Zaphod Beeblebrox, who also happens to be the president of the galaxy, his girlfriend Trillian, a former Earth-dweller who Arthur once flirted with at a cocktail party, and their chronically depressed robot, Marvin. At one point, Arthur finds himself asking, “Look…would it save you a lot of time if I just gave up and went mad now?” (146). Nevertheless, Arthur holds it together (barely) and the adventures and bizarre encounters abound as the group travels through space and time in search for the meaning of life, the universe and everything, a decent cup of tea, and, of course, a good place to eat lunch. To survive such an epic journey, be sure to always refer to your trusty Hitchhiker’s Guide which clearly states on the cover: Don’t Panic.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is a science-fiction masterpiece that was originally published in 1979. Nearly forty years later, this novel remains a classic and you will find yourself immersed in the intergalactic journey that is imaginative, witty, and at times, downright bizarre. Highly improbable futuristic science, eccentric characters, out-of-this-world (literally) situations are combined with dry sarcasm and humor to make for a fun and entertaining read that you will not be able to put down. I give this fast-paced tale of space travel a LIT-rating of five out of five and recommend it for ages 13+. Oh, and the best part? The adventure doesn’t end there, the story of Arthur Dent and his band of quirky travelers continues in four more books! (193 pages)

Awards and accolades: New York Times bestseller; ranked number one on the 1979 Sunday Times best seller list; ranked number four on BBC’s 2003 Big Read poll for UK’s favorite book; ranked number 24 on Waterstone’s Books/Channel Four’s 1996 list of the ‘One Hundred Greatest Books of the Century’; Douglas Adams received the “Golden Pan” in 1984 from his publishers for selling 1,000,000 copies; and was adapted into a film in 2005.  

Book Cover Image: Brock, C., Faceout Studio & Twine Graphics (2017). The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy [Book Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/2r2HaMF

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Trailer

Here is the trailer for Disney’s 2005 film adaptation of the best-selling novel!

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian 

by Sherman Alexie (Art by Ellen Forney)

Alexie, S. (2007). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (E. Forney, Art). New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN-13: 978-0316013697; paperback; $11.62

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“Life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being a member of the community.” (Alexie, 2007, p. 132).

Junior is a fourteen-year-old teen growing up with his “poor-ass family on the poor-ass Spokane Indian Reservation” (p. 7). Although Junior is an outcast who relies on his best friend Rowdy for protection, he is smart, a good basketball player, and wants nothing more than to escape the poverty-ridden, drunken-hopelessness of the rez. So, Junior decides to transfer to one of the best high schools in the state, Reardon, which also happens to be all-white (with the only other Indian being the school’s mascot) and twenty-two miles from the reservation. Throughout his diary, Junior complements his experiences with his drawings [watch video for examples]. Why? Because, according to Junior, “words are too unpredictable…too limited” and if you speak another language “then only a certain percentage of human beings will get your meaning. But when you draw a picture, everybody can understand it” More importantly, Junior draws “because [he] want[s] to talk to the world. And [he] want[s] the world to pay attention to him” (p. 5-6). He feels powerful and important with a pen in his hand, and through all of his adversities and painful losses, sometimes Junior’s hilarious and honest drawings are his only means of escape.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is a masterful piece of realistic multicultural fiction. Junior is a hilarious, nerdy, and resilient character that everyone would be lucky to call their friend. Sherman’s compelling prose and laugh-out-loud humor are easygoing, and when combined with Ellen’s Forney’s witty cartoons the story remains hopeful and uplifting even during its most difficult and painful moments. Junior’s diary and drawings are sure to resonate with any teen who has ever felt like an outcast or has dealt with the ups and downs of adolescence and has relied on the power of friendship to get them through. I give Alexie’s True Diary a LIT-rating of five out of five and I must admit, this is one of my most favorite reads yet. Ages 13+ (230 pages)

Awards and accolades: National Book Award Winner; Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner; New York Times Bestseller; LA Times Book Award nomination; New York Times Book Review Notable Book (children’s book); BookSense #1 Pick; BookSense Bestseller; Publishers Weekly Bestseller; ALA Best Book for Young Adults; NYPL Book for the Teen Age; BCCB Blue Ribbon Winner; School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year; Amazon.com Best Book of the Year; Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year; Kirkus Reviews Best YA Book; NAPPA Gold Award; PNBA Book Award Winner; Notable Book for a Global Society; KLIATT Editor’s Choice, Hardcover YA Fiction; ABC Best Book for Children; PW “Off the Cuff” Favorite YA Novel Award

Book Cover Image: Benshoff, K. (2007). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian [Book Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/2SbAPtP

10 Questions for Sherman Alexie

The New York Times - Sherman Alexie: By the Book

Fun, quick read of a print interview with Sherman Alexie on his favorite novelists, writers, and literary characters. 

The New York Times. (2013, November 7). Sherman Alexie: By the Book. The New York Times. Retrieved from Sherman Alexie: By the Book

Anya’s Ghost 

by Vera Brosgol

Brosgol, V. (2011). Anya's Ghost. New York, NY: Square Fish. ISBN-13: 978-1250040015; paperback; $9.89

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“You may look normal like everyone else, but you’re not. Not on the inside.” (Brosgol, 2011, p. 220)

Anya Borzakovskaya is a moody teenager who is struggling to fit in. Born in Russia and now living in America with her mother and little brother Sasha, Anya wishes she had a friend to share in her misery. At school, she only has Siobhan, who she smokes cigarettes and skips gym with. That is until she accidentally falls down a well and meets Emily, a lonely ghost from 1918. Anya chronicles her life and friendship with Emily through purple-and-black illustrated panels and speech and thought balloons [watch video for examples]. Just when Anya starts to think that maybe having a ghost as her best friend is just what she needed, Emily’s true intentions and mysterious past are revealed, and Anya is faced with the chilling reality that one must be careful what they wish for.

Anya’s Ghost is Vera Brosgol’s debut graphic novel and it is delightfully entertaining. Anya is an authentic character many teen girls can relate to, especially if they feel as though they don’t quite fit in—she is moody, self-deprecating, somewhat confused, and, of course, finds her family utterly annoying. The story is told through Brosgol’s dark and compelling illustrations that are paired with a clever narrative which provides a profound perspective on the difficulties of adolescence, particularly self-acceptance and female friendship. I give this spooky and sincere graphic novel a LIT-rating of five out of five and recommend it for ages 13+. (221 pages)

Awards and accolades: Eisner Award Winner for Best Graphic Novel for Teens; Cybil Award Winner; YALSA Popular Paperback for Young Adults; ALSC Notable Book; YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers; YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens—Top Ten; Jezebel.com Best Female Creator of the Year; BCCB Best Book of the Year; Horn Book Fanfare Title; Kirkus Best Teen Book; Graphic Novel Reporter Best of the Year; SLJ Best Book of the Year; Booklist Editors’ Choice Title; Library Media Connection Best of the Best; Booklist Top Ten First Novels for Youth; Amazon.com Best of the Year

Book Cover Image: Brosgol, V., & Venable, C. (2011). Anya’s Ghost [Book Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/2g3QlHj

Vera Brosgol Artist Gallery

*Disclaimer: Very poor British accent 👆 apologies in advance!

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series) 

by Louise Rennison

Rennison, L. (1999). Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson). New York, NY: HarperTempest. ISBN-13: 978-0064472272; paperback; $6.95

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“All I have to do is get rid of Lindsay, convince Robbie I am the woman of his dreams, stop Mum splitting up the home, grow bigger breasts and have plastic surgery on my nose and I have cracked it…” (Rennison, 1999, p. 188)

Georgia Nicolson is a 14-year-old girl living in England with her Mum and Dad, her three-year-old sister Libby, and her enormous moody cat Angus. Georgia is very much your average teenage girl: she attends an all-girls’ school with her best friend Jas, she can’t stand her parents, she worries about the size of her nose, how to properly snog (kiss) and is absolutely boy-crazy. However, what sets Georgia apart from the rest is that she takes everything to the extreme. For example, check out what happens when she decides to tweeze her eyebrows: “Found the tweezers eventually…I can’t bear this. I’ve only taken about five hairs out and my eyes are swollen to twice their normal size…Cracked it. I’ll use Dad’s razor…Mum nearly dropped Libby when she saw me. Her exact words were “What in the name of God have you done to yourself, you stupid girl?” God I hate parents!” (20). Needless to say, poor Georgia shaved off her eyebrows. The fun doesn’t end there. Georgia humorously confesses every mishap from snogging to stalking to swooning over the Sex God Robbie, and each time she finds herself asking, honestly, what is the point?

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud novel about dramatic and self-deprecating English teen Georgia Nicolson. It is truly the Bridget Jones Diary for teen girls, and trust me, Georgia’s boy-crazy antics will make anyone who has ever embarrassed themselves in front a crush feel less alone, and, perhaps, more normal. The added bonus? This novel is the first installment in Rennison’s “Confessions of Georgia Nicolson” series, so the cringing and laughter can continue. Notably, this novel also makes a perfect addition to you and girlfriends’ book club. Also, don’t worry about not knowing what “snogging” or a “tosser” is, Rennison provides a glossary at the back of the book. I give this fast-paced, joke-filled piece of chick lit a LIT-rating of four out of five (I had to deduct one star for some insensitive lesbian humor). So, put on your jimjams and start laughing, I mean reading! (234 pages)

Awards and accolades: 2001 Michael L. Printz Award; Nestle Smarties Book Prize Bronze Award; shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award; voted #127 in the BBC’s Big Read poll for UK’s favorite book

Book Cover Image: Huang, H., & Illingworth, S. (2006). Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging [Book Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/2Kw0ISr

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Trailer

Here is the trailer for the Paramount film adaptation of the novel!