Dairy Queen, the Trilogy

If you've read Dairy Queen and it's sequel,The Off Season, you will be glad to hear there's a third book on the way, Front and Center, coming out Oct.19th. In Front and Center, D.J. Schwenk returns to her home town high school to find herself the center of too much attention from college recruiters and romantic interest from an old friend. Visit the author's website and read the first chapter of the book. According to the author, Catherine Murdock (who emailed me with the news!), there are even rumors of a TV show based on Dairy Queen.

Great source for new books

There's an amazing new website for young adults called Hey Josh. Josh Shipp, who you might have seen on MTV's TRL, is a motivational speaker for teens with advice that is "in your face, but on your side." His new website includes honest advice, cool new internet trends, tech stuff, and what's new in movies and books for teens. Check out the head's up on "The Hunger Games" and let Josh know what you think!

Inkheart movie coming out January 23

If you're a fan of Inkheart (and its sequels, Inkspell & Inkdeath) you will want to see the movie coming out January 23rd. Meggie's father can "read" characters out of the pages of a book and as they are pursued by an evil villian who has escaped from the book, they are running for their lives. The cast includes Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent, Andy Serkis, Eliza Hope Bennett, Rafi Gavron. View the movie trailer, movie clips, and interviews with some of the stars on Borders website. LVJH media center has copies of all the books in the trilogy plus other titles by her like The Thief Lord and Dragonrider. Read about the author, Caroline Funke at the official website or check out this interview with her.

The Hunger Games have begun...

You think TV reality games are bad now? In a futuristic world of North America controlled by mercilous leaders, each of 12 districts is forced to send one boy and one girl to fight a gladiator-type battle to the death while the whole country watches. Sound grim? It is, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow Katniss in her fight for survival as she makes choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. When author, Suzanne Collins, asked where the idea for the book came from, she said "watching too many gladiator movies which dramatized the Romans' flair for turning executions into popular entertainment." Visit the author's website for more reviews. This title is also available on loaner iPods from the Media Center. See me if you're interested.

For Stephenie Meyer fans--life after Twilight

My favorite genre is science fiction, so I loved The Host by Stephenie Meyer. However, her website promotes it as "science fiction for people who don't like science fiction." The earth has been invaded by alien souls that take over human hosts, but the main character, Melanie, fights for control of her mind and convinces the alien, Wanderer, to take her to find her boyfriend and brother. For those of you who loved the Twilight saga, I am sorry to report that The Host does not have vampires, but it does have a great love triangle that keeps you hanging til the very end (leaving things wide open for another series!) Although this is not a Young Adult title, I think many of you will love the book as much as I did. Click here to read an excerpt from the Host or view a trailer. To learn more about Stephenie Meyer and plans for the upcoming New Moon movie, visit her official website or her MySpace (from home!).