Psychics in Fiction

October 30, 2014October 30, 2014 / Mary / Leave a comment

Did you know that October 31^st is Increase Your Psychic Powers Day?

I didn’t know it. Guess that means I’m not psychic. But I was curious so, like a good librarian, I began researching the topic. And discovered… Well, not a whole lot.

The day is rumored to have its origins in England back in the nineteenth century even though no one seems to have heard of this holiday until recently. Halloween is regarded as the day when the veil between the physical world and the spiritual world is weakest, so some believe if you are going to try out your psychic powers October 31 is the best day to do it.

I guess if I were psychic I would have known all about it.

Anyway, I decided to abandon the research and delve into the world of fiction. And here I hit paydirt. Literature abounds with tales of psychics.

Andrew Greeley, famous for his Blackie Ryan mysteries, also has a series about Nuala Anne McGrail, Irish immigrant, beautiful, a gifted singer, and, oh yes, psychic. She uses her psychic skills to solve mysteries. The first book in this series of twelve is Irish Gold.

The Arcane Society novels by Amanda Quick and Jayne Ann Krentz (who just happen to be the same person) revolve around a mysterious society of people with psychic powers. The Amanda Quick books are set in England at the end of the nineteenth century. The Krentz books are all modern. All the tales are romantic suspense with a dash of psychic power.

Kay Hooper has a mystery series that is described as psychic suspense. Her hero is FBI agent Noah Bishop, whose rare gift for seeing what others do not helps him solve the most puzzling cases. The books are denoted by the tagline Bishop/Special Crimes Unit and as of 2013 there fifteen titles in the series.

There are many, many more great novels about psychics. If you have a feeling you’d like to peruse a few, here is a short list, in no particular order, of ten more popular titles:

Road Dogs by Elmore Leonard
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
By the Light of the Moon by Dean Koontz
Pandora’s Daughter by Iris Johansen
Before I Say Goodbye by Mary Higgins Calrk
Darkness My Old Friend by Lisa Unger
What I Had Before I Had You by Sarah Cornwell
The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho
The Dead Path by Stephen Irwin
The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley

For a lengthier list of titles, concentrate really, really hard… Or just click this link and peruse our catalog.

Great Graphic Novels for Young Adults

October 23, 2014October 16, 2014 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

If you have not been in our teen or children’s area lately you might not know that we have a solid collection of graphic novels for both age groups. The collections include the expected superhero books, but there are also classic stories and non fiction books in graphic novel format. There is also a large collection of Manga in the teen section that garners a large amount of attention for older children and teens. I would highly suggest taking a look at these collections and checking out the wide variety and high quality of graphic novels that have been released in the last few years. Just because the book is shelved in the teen section, that does not mean adults of all ages cannot enjoy them as well. However, if you are uncomfortable checking these out yourself we also have a growing collection of adult graphic novels.

1.The King’s Dragon by Scott Chantler

2.Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant by Tony Cliff

3. Dogs of War by Sheila Keenan

4. Primates: the Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani & Maris Wicks

5. The War Within these Walls by Aline Sax

6. The Adventures of Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks

7. War Brothers: the Graphic Novel by Sharon E. McKay, Daniel Lafrance ; art by Daniel Lafrance

8.Shackleton: Antarctic Odyssey by Nick Bertozzi

9. The Sea-Wolf by Jack London ; adapted by Riff Reb’s

10. Bad Machinery. Vol. 1, The Case of the Team Spirit by John Allison

This list barely scratches the surface of great graphic novels that are currently gracing our shelves. In fact, the happens to be a brand new order of graphic novels that need a little attention and then will be ready for you to check out as well. Here are some more books in our collection that are well worth reading as you wait the next batch of new additions; The Undertaking of Lily Chen by Danica Novgorodoff, Hidden: a child’s story of the Holocaust by Loïc Dauvillier, Shackleton: Antarctic Odyssey by Nick Bertozzi, Laddertop. Books 1-2 by Orson Scott Card, Battling Boy by Paul Pope, Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong by Prudence Shen & Faith Erin Hicks, Peanut by Ayun Halliday, The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet: a play by William Shakespeare by adapted by Gareth Hinds, Saints and Boxers by Gene Luen Yang, Templar by Jordan Mechner, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children: theGgraphic Novel by Ransom Riggs, and Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and other Things that Happened by Allie Brosh.

New Cozy Mysteries for October 2014

October 21, 2014October 15, 2014 / Linda / Leave a comment

There’s a chill in the air – a great time to curl up with a gentle mystery. Here are the newest releases of cozy mysteries. Is your favorite series listed?

Bless Her Dead Little Heart (A Southern Ladies Mystery) by Miranda James

One Potion In The Grave (A Magic Potion Mystery) by Heather Blake

Off Kilter (A Scottish Highlands Mystery) by Hannah Reed

Weave of Absence (A Weaving Mystery) by Carol Ann Martin

A Midwinter’s Tail (A Magical Cats Mystery) by Sofie Kelly

Murder Off The Beaten Path (A Search and Rescue Mystery) by M.L. Rowland

Picked to Die (An Orchard Mystery) by Sheila Connolly

Death of a Christmas Caterer (A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery) by Lee Hollis

Take Part In Bullying Prevention Month with Books

October 19, 2014October 20, 2014 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

October is Bullying Prevention Month, which means it is important to revisit the damage bullying can cause, how we can stop it, and how we can help the people on all sides of the problem. One way to help ourselves understand, and help young adults deal with bullying related issues, is to read about it. Here are some young adult novels that deal with bullying and the aftermath of what pain it can cause on all sides.

If you or someone you know needs help now, or more solace than a great read can offer then please check out the official website StopBulling.gov, StompOutBullying.org, or the Nation Education Association’s Bully Free page for information, resources, and assistance.

The Bully by Paul Langan

A new life. An new school. A new bully. That’s what Darrell Mercer faces when he and his mother move from Philadelphia to California. After spending months living in fear, Darrell is faced with a big decision. He can either keep running from this bully–or find some way to fight back.

Brutal by Michael Harmon

After being left by her mother to live with a father she hardly knows in the middle of suburbia, Poe is happy to have found a few new friends at her new school, but when her new friends become the target of dangerous pranks by the popular jocks, Poe is determined to take down the group’s egomaniacal leader and put an end to his mean games.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jane Asher

When high school student Clay Jenkins receives a box in the

mail containing thirteen cassette tapes recorded by his classmate Hannah, who committed suicide, he spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night crisscrossing their town, listening to Hannah’s voice recounting the events leading up to her death.

By The Time You Read This I’ll Be Dead by Julie Annie Peters. High school student Daelyn Rice, who has been bullied throughout her school career and has more than once attempted suicide, again makes plans to kill herself, despite the persistent attempts of an unusual boy named Santana to draw her out.

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Regina Afton, a high school senior in the popular–and feared–crowd, suddenly falls out of favor and becomes the object of the same sort of vicious bullying that she used to inflict on others, until she finds solace through Michael Hayden, one of her former victims.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

After her boyfriend goes on a shooting rampage at school, Valerie is implicated because of her involvement in writing the list of names and so now must come to terms with what has happened, her feelings for the boy she once loved, and the part she played that resulted in such tragic events.

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga
A fifteen-year-old “geek” who keeps a list of the high school jocks and others who torment him, and pours his energy into creating a great graphic novel, encounters Kyra, Goth Girl, who

helps change his outlook on almost everything, including himself.

As usual, I cannot list all the great books in the post, or I would bored you all. But, I cannot help myself from adding a little bonus list at the end and asking you to comment with any books you would like to recommend. Here are my bonus books; The Misfits by James Howe, The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence, Before, After, and Somebody In Between by Jeannine Garsee, The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes, Indigo’s Star by Hilary McKay, Dear Life, You Suck by Scott Blagden,Diary Of A Witness by Catherine Ryan Hyde, The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander, Freak by Marcella Fleischman Pixley, Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson,Darius & Twig by Walter Dean Myers,Cornered: 14 Stories of Bullying and Defiance edited by Rhoda Belleza, The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier, Drowning Anna by Sue Mayfield, and Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur.

For more books about bullying for all ages, and some non fiction resources, check out some of the books I mentions in these previous posts; 10 Picturebooks that Deal with Bullying, Powerful Fiction Focused on Bullying for Children and Young Adults, and Top 5 Non-Fiction Books about Bullying.

Crafting and Costume Guides for Halloween

October 7, 2014September 23, 2014 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Are you one of the people that just loves Halloween? The decorations, movies, and dressing up can be great fun for adults and children of all ages. There are just so many activities and crafts that are great fun this time of year. If you are planning a Halloween party, looking for some good costume ideas, or just want to go crazy with the seasonal crafting, then here are a selection for books to get you started. I have broken the list down into two sections, one for the adults and one to give ideas for using with children.

Books for Adults:

1. Halloween: a Grown-up’s Guide to Creative Costumes, Devilish Decor & Fabulous Festivities by Joanne O’Sullivan. Finally, here’s a Halloween book that’s definitely for adults. It’s brimming with practical and inventive ideas for parties, decorations, and costumes, and with an amazingly atmospheric design that’s a luscious treat for grown-up eyes.

2. Halloween by Matthew Mead. A stylish celebration of Halloween for the entire family presents an array of holiday foods, spooky decorations, and entertaining suggestions that includes easy-to-follow instructions for pumpkin treat holders, personalized candy boxes, black cat cupcakes, black duct tape stencils, and other creative projects.

3. Better Homes and Gardens Halloween Pumpkins & Parties: 101 Spooktacular Ideas edited by Carol Field Dahlstrom. Half of this book features Halloween celebrations and entertaining, while the rest highlights creativity with pumpkins.All-new ideas for both crafters and noncrafters.One-of-a-kind Halloween how-to with detailed instructions, patterns, and recipes.Third in a series of highly successful Halloween books from Better Homes and Gardens.

4. Glitterville’s Handmade Halloween: a Glittered Guide for Whimsical Crafting! by Stephen Brown. A great book for intermediate to experienced crafters, Glitterville’s Handmade Halloween will delight readers as they make their way through the playfully photographed pages of the book, which include full, never-before-published instructions for making some of Glitterville’s most sought-after items, including Halloween candy garland and the studio collection of folk figures.

5. The Big Book of Halloween: Creative & Creepy Projects for Revellers of all Ages by Laura Dover Doran. This complete source book is the perfect treat—with lots of tricks, too! Adults and kids will enjoy the mixture of fun, food, and fright. There are 50 great projects and loads of imaginative ideas—everything from decorations to costumes, party ideas to pumpkin-carving patterns. A wealth of Halloween legend and lore help illuminate the holiday’s rich history.

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Book with Ideas to Share with Children:

1. 175 Easy-to-do Halloween Crafts: Creative Uses for Recyclables edited by Sharon Dunn. Easy-to-follow directions and full-color photographs show young craft makers how to create frightfully funny decorations, pumpkins, gifts, masks, costumes, and so much more. All of the crafts are made of recyclable materials and everyday items found around the house.

2. Halloween Crafts by Fay Robinson. Provides information about the origins and customs of Halloween, ideas for celebrationg this holiday, and instructions for making a bat sock puppet, a construction paper haunted house, and a treat bag that looks like a coffin.

3. Celebrate Halloween by Deborah Heiligman. Trick or treat? Celebrate Halloween is a real treat. Vivid images and Deborah Heiligman’s lively, inviting text illuminate the spookiest night of the year.

4. Paper Crafts for Halloween by Randel McGee. Provides instructions for making paper craft items for Halloween along with a brief introduction to the holiday and its history.

5. Fun-to-Make Crafts for Halloween edited by Tom Daning. Each of these 150 craft projects for Halloween can be made from easy-to-find materials and the easy-to-follow directions include full-color photographs to help make the assembly simple.

6. Halloween Fun: 101 Ideas to Get in the Spirit! edited by Carol Field Dahlstrom. A spooky guide to Halloween fun contains an abundance of ideas, recipes, projects, and instructions for creating frightening foods, devilish decorations, scary costumes, and much more.

As always, there are plenty more books about Halloween crafts, costumes, and fun here at the library. This includes scary stories, history, and books for all interests and age groups. Come check out the selection, unless you are scared? Oh, and have a fun and safe Halloween!