Significance by Shelly Crane

Goodreads
Published: June 2011

Maggie is a seventeen year old girl who's had a bad year. She was smart and on track, but then her mom left, her dad is depressed, she's graduating - barely - and her boyfriend of almost three years dumped her for a college football scholarship. Lately she thinks life is all about hanging on by a thread and is gripping tight with everything she has.

Then she saves the life of Caleb and instantly knows there's something about him that's intriguing. But things change when they touch, sparks ignite. Literally.

They imprint with each other and she sees their future life together flash before her eyes. She learns that not only is she his soul mate, and can feel his heartbeat in her chest, but there is a whole other world of people with gifts and abilities that she never knew existed. She herself is experiencing supernatural changes unlike anything she's ever felt before and she needs the touch of his skin to survive.

Now, not only has her dad come out of his depression to be a father again, and a pain as well, but Caleb's enemies know he's imprinted and are after Maggie to stop them both from gaining their abilities and take her from him.

Can Caleb save her or will they be forced to live without each other after just finding one another?
(Source: Goodreads)

This book is about Maggie who is just graduating from high school. Her mom is gone, her dad doesn't pay any attention to her and her boyfriend dumped her.  That's some pretty serious teenage angst! Now bring in Kyle, cute boy that she's finally agreeing to date, he invites her to a party and then DOESN'T CALL HER! I already don't like this kid.. When she goes out on her own to the party that Kyle invited her to she bumps into his cousin Caleb! Seriously, like she throws him down to the ground to save him from being hit in a crosswalk. I already like Caleb more than I like Kyle.. Caleb escorts her to the party where Kyle takes over as her date until Maggie and Caleb touch and imprint on each other!

And this is where I think "Insert vampires and werewolves here because this is another Twilight wannabe."  But I am so wrong! There are no vampires inserted into this plot, there are ALIENS! Not green ones though, like really attractive ones!

I am such a sucker for love at first sight books!  People get beat up, kidnapped, there's a big complicated love triangle filled with jealousy (or is it a square if there are more than 2 men?), and a man with a motorcycle!

Do you like love stories about things like supernatural beings, couples beating the odds, and girls having their choice from several men?

Yes? Great, you'll end up rooting for Maggie and Caleb too!

Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo

Goodreads
Published: February 2009
Guideposts Books

English professor Emma Douglas has always done everything just the way her minister father told her she should. Life was good until the day Emma finds her husband in bed with another woman. Suddenly, all her romantic notions, a la Jane Austen, are exposed as foolish dreams. (Source:Goodreads)

I am so glad that I read this book because I was completely unaware that Jane Austen ruined my life too! Every failed relationship, every bad day, even every argument with your parents can be blamed completely on Jane Austen and the romantic ideas that she will fill your head with!

Not really, but it was nice to have somewhere to place the blame for a few hours before I got to the final chapters :)

I l-o-v-e, LOVE, Jane Austen! I was raised to believe that Jane Austen is the sum of all wisdom. Let's face it, my cat is named after Lydia from Pride and Prejudice.. that's some deep love. While I was reading this, at about every other chapter I picked up my phone and called my mother or my sister or anyone that would listen and told them how much I hated Jane Austen in that moment and how if they would just read this then they would understand that she is a life ruiner!

Our main character, Emma, is having a rough time in life, everything is going wrong for her. A suspicious woman approaches her and starts telling her all of these tales about Jane Austen's letters that were supposed to be destroyed after her death... but they weren't!!! So Emma starts her adventures with these letters, finding out all about Jane's heartbreak that inspired one of her first novels. As Emma continues on this quest, she has a change of heart and thankfully she points you back to loving Jane Austen by the end because Jane Austen isn't really a life ruiner!

Review: The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy

Source: Goodreads

Synopsis: The three novels which make up The Forsyte Saga chronicle the ebbing social power of the commercial upper-middle class Forsyte family between 1886 and 1920. Galsworthy's masterly narrative examines not only their fortunes but also the wider developments within society, particularly the changing position of women. This is the only critical edition of the work available, with Notes that explain contemporary artistic and literary allusions and define the slang of the time. (Source: Goodreads)

One of the greatest works of literature, there's a reason why Mr. Galsworthy won the Nobel Prize for Literature for this work. An epic saga of a single extended family which spans several generations, Galsworthy creates characters that are human and fallible, noble, kind and cruel. The story is deeply moving, funny, infuriating and completely compelling. This is a huge work, but, as with all great novels, the better it is, the more you want it to continue on and on. This one does! The Saga comprises of three novels and two "interludes" or short stories between the novels. The first interlude of the saga, "Indian Summer of a Forsyte," is one of the most beautiful and poignant works I have ever read.

In addition to this first work, Galsworthy continued the story of the Forsytes for another two complete epics, creating nine novels in all. He also created a series of short stories to fill in elements of the characters backstories. 

If you intend to embark on this wonderful journey into the heart of middle class Brits at turn of the 20th century, I recommend the Oxford University Press edition, which has an extensive glossary included. Galsworthy includes a large amount of slang of the period, and this edition explains those terms. Its available at the Madison Library District for patron use.

Review: Charmed Vengeance by Suzanne Lazear

Goodreads
Source: eARC via NetGalley
Published: August 8, 2013
Flux

Synopsis: In the Faerie realm, Noli Braddock's relationship with her best friend V has grown into something more. But V's mother, Faerie Queen Tiana, has ruled that they are forbidden to see each other. Returning to the mortal realm, Noli joins the crew of her brother's air-pirate ship, the Vixen's Revenge. There she discovers that her brother has hired the scallywag Faerie huntsman, Kevighn Silver. While serving as shipmates, Kevighn and Noli learn that the Earth Court King plans to find a forbidden artifact--one that will bring destruction to everyone Noli loves. (Source: Goodreads)
*Many thanks to Flux and NetGalley for providing early access to this title*
Quick Review...for when I don't have a lot to say...
If you remember, I really quite enjoyed the first book in this series, Innocent Darkness. The interaction between V and Noli was fabulous and I was so looking forward to more of that in this book.
Alas, they're apart for most of it.
What?! 
No fair!
I wanted more, and got waaaaaaaaaay less. There's a reason though, so I can't be terribly mad about anything. I just hope that the third book (unannounced, untitled, no cover, etc...) gives me a fantastic V and Noli payout.
One of my favorite things about this series is the family relationship. They're quirky, but not horrible to each other and they genuinely care for each other. I loved that Noli is reunited with her brother in this one. I'd hoped to meet him the last time around, so I was glad for it in this book. I love that they love their mom and dad and do their best to have a healthy relationship with them. (Noli more than Jeff)
Plot-wise, I felt like this one kind of dragged a little bit. It wasn't as interesting to me as the last one was. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I hope there's more Kevighn in the next book. I don't like him, don't get me wrong, but he does make things interesting. V's quest is boring, and only made more interesting by the addition of James. I was glad he was along for the ride, or I may have set this one down.
I'm enjoying this series (for the most part) and can't wait to see where it's going. There are some new characters introduced this time, and I hope they play a bigger role in the next book.

Review: The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

Goodreads
Source: eARC via NetGalley
Published: May 28, 2013
Harlequin Teen

Synopsis: "In 1897 London, something not quite human is about to awaken 
When mechanical genius Emily is kidnapped by rogue automatons, Finley Jayne and her fellow misfits fear the worst. What's left of their archenemy, The Machinist, hungers to be resurrected, and Emily must transplant his consciousness into one of his automatons—or forfeit her friends' lives. 

With Griffin being mysteriously tormented by the Aether, the young duke's sanity is close to the breaking point. Seeking help, Finley turns to Jack Dandy, but trusting the master criminal is as dangerous as controlling her dark side. When Jack kisses her, Finley must finally confront her true feelings for him...and for Griffin. 

Meanwhile, Sam is searching everywhere for Emily, from Whitechapel's desolate alleyways to Mayfair's elegant mansions. He would walk into hell for her, but the choice she must make will test them more than they could imagine. 

To save those she cares about, Emily must confront The Machinist's ultimate creation—an automaton more human than machine. And if she's to have any chance at triumphing, she must summon a strength even she doesn't know she has..."(Source: Goodreads)


*Many thanks to Harlequin Teen and NetGalley for allowing early access to this title.*
Quick Review...for when I don't have a lot to say...
It's no secret that I adore steampunk and this series in particular. I completely fell for the alternate London that Kady Cross introduced me to in The Girl in the Steel Corset. I loved picturing the cool contraptions that she came up with, and I especially loved the characters she introduced me to. Finley is one of my favorite characters of all time...so much that I'd totally consider naming a daughter Finley.
In this installment, we get to know more about Emily, while still continuing the story started in The Girl in the Steel Corset. I've liked Emily from the beginning, not least because we share a name. She's spunky and fun and totally loyal. I loved her relationship with Sam. I loved how she could be totally serious and then playful in the next moment. She was a lot of fun to read about.
I liked the story this time around, quite as much as the other two books. I have a feeling that it's definitely not over and I'm looking forward to where we could go next. I remain a loyal fan to this series!

Teen Choice Award Nominees

Here at the Madison Library, we're working on our Teen Choice Awards for 2013. We base the nominations off of popular books published in 2012. It's kind of like the YALSA Teen Top Ten, but specifically for our patrons.

Voting will be held in August, so be sure to check in at the library for a ballot.

Without further ado, here are the nominees for the Madison Library District Teen Choice Awards. Click the title to visit the Goodreads page for each book.

In no particular order:

1. Of Poseidon, Anna Banks
2. The Selection, Keira Cass
3. The Last Guardian, Eoin Colfer
4. Reached, Ally Condie
5. The Kill Order, James Dashner
6. Michael Vey #2: Rise of the Elgen, Richard Paul Evans
7. Beautiful Redemption, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
8. Palace of Stone, Shannon Hale
9. Sapphire Blue, Kerstin Gier
10. Princess of the Silver Woods, Jessica Day George
11. Hallowed, Cynthia Hand
12. Seraphina, Rachel Hartman
13. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel, Jeff Kinney
14. Enchanted, Alethea Kontis
15. Grave Mercy, Robin LaFevers
16. Son, Lois Lowry
17. The Arcade Catastrophe, Brandon Mull
18. The False Prince, Jennifer Nielsen,
19. For Darkness Shows the Stars, Diana Peterfreund
20. The Mark of Athena, Rick Riordan
21. The Serpent's Shadow, Rick Riordan
22. Insurgent, Veronica Roth
23. Code Name Verity, Elizabeth Wein
24. Endlessly, Kiersten White

The library has copies of all of these books. If you haven't had a chance to read them, put them on hold now, and be sure to check back in August for voting.

Inferno by Dan Brown

Goodreads
Source: Library
Published: May 14, 2013
DoubleDay

Synopsis: In his international blockbusters The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown masterfully fused history, art, codes, and symbols. In this riveting new thriller, Brown returns to his element and has crafted his highest-stakes novel to date.
In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno.


Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. 
Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered. (Source: Goodreads)
I don't even know where to start on this one. There are times when I think I have a book figured out and it turns out that I was on target completely. Then there are times when I'm sure I've got it all and I am blown completely out of the water by what the outcome really is.
This is one of those times.
I started out thinking that THIS TIME, I was going to outsmart Dan Brown and figure the whole thing out ahead of time. He has this nasty little tendency to spring things on readers that they don't ever see coming. I WAS NOT GOING TO BE THAT READER. I was in the know! I could SEE how things were going down! 
Alas, I now have to eat crow and admit that Dan Brown is still the master of the twist. Actually, I should probably grovel a little bit, because I was COCKY going into this one.
*writhes*
I AM A WORM! I AM NOT WORTHY!
Okay, I am done beating myself up for not outsmarting Dan Brown.
What do you need to know going into this book?
Nothing is as it seems. Not one, single thing. 
No one is who they say they are. Not one, single person.
The book will suck you in, chew you up, and then spit you out at the end, and you'll feel like you just went fifty rounds on the Tilt-a-Whirl, all in true Dan Brown style.
I'm still a huge Robert Langdon fan and hope to see more books in the series down the road. For now, it looks like this might be the end. After all, our favorite professor is aging (nicely, I might add) and he can't always be the jet-setting, save the world type. He still kicks it though. Awesomely.
I'm just going to shut up now and let you go read it if you haven't. YOU SHOULD.

Welcome to the Madison Library District Blog!

Welcome to our new blog!

Here, you'll find book reviews from all genres, plus audio/visual reviews. You can read past reviews at any time by visiting the appropriate page, or by going through our blog archive. Pages will be updated as posts are made.

Since we're focusing on books that we'd recommend to our patrons, you'll find only positive reviews here. This is a place for reader's advisory and we want to push the books that we enjoy.

Have fun looking around and finding new books to enjoy!

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