What I Loved #19 New YA edition: Caraval, The Thousandth Floor, Queens of Geek, The One Memory of Flora Banks, Holding Up the Universe

I have been on a roll lately with YA Lit! Since I order all the books for the children’s and teen sections, I’m always looking forward to the next great thing, and this month I found a bunch. Check these out if you love YA, and be ready to talk about them if you work… Read More What I Loved #19 New YA edition: Caraval, The Thousandth Floor, Queens of Geek, The One Memory of Flora Banks, Holding Up the Universe

July 30, 2017July 30, 2017 Karissa Fast - Librarian1 Comment

An Annotated List of My Favourite YA Books

We Were Liars by E Lockhart: Don’t be fooled – even though the cover might make this look like a simple summer romance novel, it’s a psychological thriller through and through. Cadence suffered a traumatic brain injury during her 15th year on her family’s summer island. During her 17th year she struggles to piece together… Read More An Annotated List of My Favourite YA Books

October 13, 2015October 13, 2015 Karissa Fast - Librarian2 Comments

YA Horror Display: Get Your Freak On

If your library has a Young Adult section, your library has horror novels. And they circulate (or mysteriously disappear from the shelves leaving a dark cloud of murk and despair). YA Horror Novel displays are easy to pull together (because there are so many horror novels) and easy to “sell” (because teens are loving the… Read More YA Horror Display: Get Your Freak On

June 13, 2015June 13, 2015 Karissa Fast - Librarian1 Comment

Personality Tests in the Library

We all know about Passive Reader’s Advisory: booklists, displays, posters. Book suggestions that our patrons can browse on their own time. These are extremely valuable tools to librarians – we can’t be everywhere at once after all! I, and most librarians, believe that a reference interview is usually the best way to match a reader… Read More Personality Tests in the Library

June 10, 2015June 10, 2015 Karissa Fast - Librarian1 Comment

What I Loved #11: Beauty Queens, Fifteen Dogs, Mini Terrariums, TCAF

Springtime is upon us! Somehow in-between planning for fall programs (yes, we start early at the library), attending lovely weddings, and shopping for flower pots, I’ve been reading. A lot. And as you’ll see from the photos, mostly outside. What I Read Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis: In an effort to determine whether or not human intelligence… Read More What I Loved #11: Beauty Queens, Fifteen Dogs, Mini Terrariums, TCAF

May 22, 2015January 19, 2023 Karissa Fast - LibrarianLeave a comment

10 Poems That Teenagers Might Actually Love

Let’s just admit it: not everyone thinks poetry is as great as we do. Is poetry in danger of dying out? Not a chance. Poetry has stood the test of time, and remains one of the most powerful, evocative forms of communication. Poetry challenges the social norm, and helps people feel like they’re part of something… Read More 10 Poems That Teenagers Might Actually Love

March 12, 2014May 7, 2020 Karissa Fast - Librarian14 Comments

“A Good Book For Every Teen?”

When I was a tweenager, I won a copy of Monster by Walter Dean Myers as part of a summer reading program at my local public library. A year later I donated it to Goodwill. Unread. Is this a good book for teens? Absolutely. It’s written in a uniquely captivating screenplay format, it has tense… Read More “A Good Book For Every Teen?”

February 24, 2014June 20, 2019 Karissa Fast - LibrarianLeave a comment

Eleanor & Park, or, How To Fall In Love Without Facebook

In a time when teens can barely imagine a world without texting and Facebook, and where people are more likely to send a smile on Snapchat than on the bus, Eleanor & Park provides interesting commentary on what has now become “old-fashioned” romance, and the temporary nature of first love. There are a lot of… Read More Eleanor & Park, or, How To Fall In Love Without Facebook

February 4, 2014June 20, 2019 Karissa Fast - LibrarianLeave a comment