Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees

Fourteen-year-old Francisco Towers has always idolized his big brother. But lately, Steve is going farther and farther trying to fit into the dangerous gang culture in their small New Mexico town. Now, it's time for Frankie to make his own decision about where he stands.

This is a powerful story about a boy caught between not just one rock and a hard place, but several. Frankie is caught between white and Latino, between idealism and hard economic realities, between his brother's example and his own definition of himself.

Find it at a library!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Fantastic Fairies

By chance, I happened to read several stories featuring Fairies. Each one was a vastly different take on Fairy culture. Even the plot of each story was so different, I hardly realized I had read more Fairy themed books in a few months than probably ever before in my life. Here are my top three. What about you, have Fairies been popping up unexpectedly anywhere in your life?

Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog

Just before their sixteenth birthday, Morgan's boyfriend confesses that he is a Fairy who was switched at birth with a human child. Now the Fairies want him back, but Morgan is not willing to let go so easily.






Violet Wings by Victoria Hanley

Three years after her mother's death, Zaria finds her mother's spellbook. When an evil Fairy tries to steal it from her, Zaria decides to hide it in a place where magic doesn't work, Earth. But humans complicate her life more than she expects.





Wings by Aprilynne Pike

When Laurel discovers she is actually a Fairy living among humans, she is understandably freaked out. However there are some good things about being a Fairy. Things like magic.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Art Cars

Ok, I admit it. I am addicted to art cars - anything painted, glued on or somehow decorated to be more than just boring transportation. Luckily, Harrod Blank has helped satisfy my need with this beautiful book of art cars across the country. The subtitle says it all - The cars, the artists, the obsession, the craft. The designs are incredible and have kept me jealous of other art cars and trying to figure out how to add a 3rd dimension to the Suparoo. Luckily, Harrod also made at least two films about his obsession. Wild Wheels is available in the library and his documentary Automorphosis will be showing at the Screening Room in downtown Tucson on Oct. 8 and 9. Hopefully an art car procession will be a part of this event and I can see my old Dr. Seuss bus again.

Find it at a library!

Friday, September 10, 2010

One Day by David Nicholls

If you loved “When Harry Met Sally” you’ll adore young Brits Emma and Dex as they navigate the 20 years post university in like (always) in love with each other (maybe) in love with others (often) in lust (along the way). Sharp, comic, brilliant dialogue will keep you hooked far into the night or best read it over a weekend. In any case, a must read BEFORE the movie. Find it in the PCPL catalog.