Category: Staff Book Reviews

Categories
Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Leah Recommends Award-Winning Young Adult Fiction

by Associate Librarian Leah Boyden

Earlier this year I took a course on engaging teens within libraries. As a lover and reader of young adult material and former middle school teacher, this task was right up my alley. A former student of mine encouraged me to write a blog post for the library and because of their encouragement I signed up!

The major assignment of the course was a reading project that involved reading, rating, and critiquing twenty-two young adult texts from various award-winning lists and differing criteria. Formats included physical books, audiobooks, graphic novels, and more. Our professor outlined certain criteria we had to meet, with some free choice aspects as well. The award-winning lists and criteria list from the assignment are listed at the end of this post.

While this assignment was lengthy and involved procrastination on my end, I loved it. It pushed me to read out of my comfort zone and explore new genres. I read my first ever graphic novel because of this assignment! It also gave me personal recommendations that I have suggested to teen patrons, teen volunteers, and some of my coworkers in the library. This project has sparked a lot of good (and fun) conversations. Instead of sharing my entire seventeen-page paper with you, I will share my top read from this assignment. This book ended up being one of my top favorite reads of 2024. 

The Silence that Binds Us by Joanna Ho, New York, Harper Teen, 2022, 448 pages | Book | Libby Audiobook

Personal rating: 5/5    

Recommended age range of teen reader: 14+

Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) Literature Awards Young Adult category

Summary

This novel is rich in content and discusses mental health, suicide, racism, family, cultural expectations, personal narratives, stereotypes, high school, and more. May (Maybelline) is a Chinese Taiwanese American high school student. She faces many challenges in her life, especially after her brother dies by suicide. This is a story of owning your narrative and speaking your truth. 

Critical Evaluation

This is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. I am still in awe of this writing and this story months after reading it. I have recommended this book to so many people and have looked for other works by this author as well. The way the author portrays the heartbreak and emotions in this story is so raw. I felt like I lost Danny. I felt like I was in high school again and could hear myself at the train tracks with May. This award is meant to highlight the experiences and cultures of Asian and Pacific Americans and this book is the rightful recipient. This book has so many strengths, as I have mentioned. I think this book would appeal to teens for many reasons – content, relatability, and more. This book could also fit under the May is National Mental Health Awareness Month book list. This was the best book I read from this assignment!

Cover Art

This book cover is simply stunning. Teens would definitely be drawn to choose this book solely because of the cover. The use of color, light, text, and pictures leave the viewer with so many questions that need answering. Teens will be drawn to the beauty and curiosity that this cover displays. 

Awards List

  • Michael L. Printz Award Winners
  • Margaret A. Edwards Award
  • YALSA’s Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
  • Banned Books 
  • YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens
  • Indigenous Reads Rising 
  • YALSA Excellence in Non-fiction 
  • Manga 
  • Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production
  • Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) Literature Awards Young Adult category
  • May is National Mental Health Awareness Month  
  • Historical Fiction
  • Buckeye Children & Teen Book Award 
  • Classic Revisited 

If you’ve made it to this point, thank you for reading along! I encourage you to diversify your reading list by checking out some of the above lists and the titles within them. 

Categories
Online Resources Staff Book Reviews

Awesome Audiobooks

by Public Service Associate Owen

Audiobooks are quickly becoming one of my favorite ways to ingest a good book. While nothing quite beats cozying up to your favorite hard cover or thumbing through a paperback, audiobooks really are a great alternative, especially for those who might not have the time to sit down and read. Audiobooks are a great option if you’re traveling, cleaning the house, or otherwise too occupied to read a physical book. Whether you’re planning for a road trip and need some in-car entertainment, or want to listen to a good story while you take a walk (as I am one to do), a good audiobook has you covered! And with Libby, it’s easier than ever to access and borrow thousands of titles right from your phone or other device! I’d like to highlight a few of my favorite audiobooks, as well as others that fellow BPL staff members have recommended, so that you have a good place to start from if you’re interested in getting into the audiobook scene. Happy listening!

Continue reading “Awesome Audiobooks”
Categories
Programs Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Ohio Day Trips, or, There and Back Again

A Journey Through Middle Earth the Buckeye State

by Programming Librarian Zach

The final school bell for the year has rung, longer days and warmer weather have arrived, and the official beginning of summer is right around the corner. Now, what to do with all of this extra time? Not to worry, the Bexley Public Library has you covered!

Continue reading “Ohio Day Trips, or, There and Back Again”
Categories
Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Beguiling Biographies

by Public Service Associate Owen

Biographies! Across the many realms of print and literature, there are many topics, subjects and styles that stand out. But none stand out quite like biographies, as this particular brand of non-fiction revolves around the lives of single persons. They cover the trials and tribulations of the lives of all sorts of famous people, from Julius Caesar to Cesar Chavez. Thus, biographies are an efficient, excellent way to live vicariously through some of the most famous and influential people to ever exist. There is so much to discover about the idols, villains, actors, innovators, leaders, stars, and extraordinary humans of our lives, and one of the best ways to do so is by getting your hands on a good biography. So, in this blog, I will be highlighting four intriguing biographies of four very different yet equally remarkable people. From Henrietta Lacks to Winston Churchill to Frida Kahlo, each biography tells a thrilling tale of some of life’s most colorful characters.

Continue reading “Beguiling Biographies”
Categories
Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Women Authors for Women’s History Month

by Associate Librarian Debbie

In celebration of Women’s History Month I wanted to share some of my all time favorite female authors. There are so many wonderful authors but I pared it down to my top five. Keep reading to see some of the women authors that I cherish the most, along with insights into their unique works and writing styles.

Continue reading “Women Authors for Women’s History Month”
Categories
Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

All Roads Lead to Rome

by Public Service Associate Autumn

Or maybe all roads just lead to Roman troubles. A large swath of problems facing the United States today, also faced the Romans at some point during their thousand years of civilization. Climate change made growing food and combating disease harder. People everywhere were divided on how to live and who to believe. Countries invaded their neighbors. Money swayed politics. Violence broke out in the streets. Swelling inequality made living harder and bred distrust in political systems. People scrabbled to reach the top or to just support themselves in an ever shifting world. So today, on the anniversary of the assassination of Julius Caesar and the change it ultimately sparked in Rome’s government, take a break from the turbulence of today and dive into the machinations and turmoil of Rome. Learn how the Romans handled, or ignored, their problems or just enjoy reading about problems that are already solved by checking out some of the following books.

Continue reading “All Roads Lead to Rome”
Categories
Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Spilling Open

by Public Service Associate Juliana

photo by Juliana Farrington

My path to art journaling, like many of my life’s interests, was inspired by a library book. I’d just started high school, and my sister had a book report assignment on a self-help book of her choosing for her seventh grade English class. Naturally she went to the library, and I, library lover that I am, tagged along with her. Browsing the self-help section of the stacks, a single spine stood out to my sister, golden yellow with a title that looked like handwritten cursive. She pulled Spilling Open by Sabrina Ward Harrison from the shelf. After a quick flip through the pages, she looked up and said, “I think you’re going to like this one.” And wow, was she right. She’d found something special. This isn’t your typical self-help book or a how-to book on “how-to art journal”, Spilling Open is itself an art journal. I was absolutely enamored.

Continue reading “Spilling Open”
Categories
Booklists Staff Book Reviews

Columbus Reads

by Public Service Associate Owen

Our humble capital city of Columbus is one of the nicest places to live in the state, and perhaps even the country! If you’re optimistic enough, that is. Often scoffed at by those who don’t reside here and often underappreciated by those that do, I am here to sing the praises of our state capital and to highlight some of the books that provide insight into what makes Columbus a special place to live. From the Statehouse to the Chill, here are four books about Columbus!

Continue reading “Columbus Reads”
Categories
Booklists Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Books I’m Thankful For

by Public Service Associate Owen

I find Thanksgiving to be a wonderful holiday, where friends and family can gather with purpose to be thankful for each other and for what has gone well in their lives. This is the time of year where I am most attentive to what good is around me and what has shaped me as a person. This is especially true with books, which have had such a profound effect on how I was raised and how I view the world today. In this blog post, I will briefly elaborate some of the literary works that have had a substantial impact on my life. In doing so, I hope to both open your eyes to some of these monumental works, as well as to encourage you to reflect on some of the authors and books that have affected your life in a positive way.

Continue reading “Books I’m Thankful For”
Categories
Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Indigenous Heritage Month

by Public Service Associate Owen

November is National Indigenous Heritage Month, and as such it is an honor to use this space to feature some works of prolific indigenous authors. As Americans, it is of vital importance to recognize the peoples of this continent who were here prior to settlers and colonists. By highlighting some great works of indigenous authors, including the one book that brought indigenous literature into the mainstream, I hope to at least pay some respect to those whose voices were often silenced.

Continue reading “Indigenous Heritage Month”