ASB Book of the Week

Christmas Stories, published by Everyman’s Pocket Classics

Dear Librarian — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:34:26 +0000

This cute little book is a jam packed compilation of Christmas stories. In all there are twenty short stories from authors such as Willa Cather, Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, Nikolai Gogol, and O. Hentry to name a few. The stories vary in length from 10-54 pages, so there’s a story in here for every reader. Some of the stories are romantic, some tragic, and some typical of a Christmas night scene. All are enjoyable and assuredly will put any reader in the Christmas mood.

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Romeo and Juliet, retold by Bruce Coville and illustrated by Dennis Nolan

Dear Librarian — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:49:56 +0000

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a timeless classic. While some may find Shakespeare’s use of language difficult to decipher, there are many versions of the tragic love story retold. This new version by Bruce Coville is beautifully illustrated by Dennis Nolan. The best picture by far is the balcony scene–it literally folds open and out of the book since it’s been expanded. At first you can see Juliet looking for her Romeo, and then you open up the page to see Romeo professing is love to his Juliet. This version is breathtaking and a relief for those who would like to read the story in prose rather than verse.

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Who Was First? Discovering the Americas, by Russell Freedman

Dear Librarian — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:09:12 +0000

Remember this rhyme? “In fourteen hundred and ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” Well, this book investigates whether it really was Christopher Columbus who discovered the Americas. Instead was it the Chinese? Was it the Vikings? What about the Mayans? By looking at past legends, runes, stonework, and mysterious objects, this Russel Freedman examines who found the Americas.

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Cool Stuff 2.0: And How It Works, by DK

Dear Librarian — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:55:57 +0000

Here’s another DK must for all of you especially if you like any of the following: technology, gadgets, inventions, electronics, Web 2.0, exploration, science, transportation, and gaming to only mention a few. This book is completely packed with cool stuff–just like the title claims. With dynamic pictures and interesting text to accompany, this is a perfect book to read if you enjoy Cool Stuff 2.0.

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The Arrival, by Shaun Tan

Dear Librarian — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:59:30 +0000

Read this beautiful, sepia, wordless book by Shaun Tan to experience the traumatic yet adventurous journey that any immigrant must experience. A man decides to leave his family and home for something better. The prize and gold or in other words prosperity is never instant when transplanting one’s life. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of moving and leaving one’s home in search of a better life–which hopefully does happen for all immigrants.

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PostSecret, compiled by Frank Warren

Dear Librarian — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:03:59 +0000

PostSecretis an amazing book to browse through. Imagine the secret you’ve never, ever told anyone. It’s bottled up inside you. Perhaps you’d like to release it. Frank Warren gave many individuals this chance. He left blank pre-stamped postcards all over–like 10,000 of them–telling the person who picked it up to share a secret and send it to the self-adressed destination. People haven’t just written down their secrets; many artfully constructed a visual representation of their secret. This book shares many of the postcards. This blog, PostSecret continues showing new received postcards. This edgy book brings out the secret in all of us.

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

Dear Librarian — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:59:30 +0000

This national book award winner is a must read. It’s reminscent of The Perks of Being a Wallflower yet with a multi-cultural slant since the narrator is a Native American Indian from the Spokane, Reservation. Many will be able to relate to the voice of this teenager for it is so real–his fears, feelings, and experiences are universal. The big decisions he makes about his own education and the choices he makes to change his pathway in life are inspirational. If we could all be so brave to tackle our personal and also cultural fears, we would be as successful as Junior. However, the best part of this book is the ultra fun comics Junior creates to supplement what he is feeling and experiencing. He’s sarcastic, witty, and just about genius!

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DK Eyewitness Travel Books

Dear Librarian — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:18:15 +0000

DK continues to publish the most amazing books! Pictures always enhance the information being read about, and DK manages to exemplify this in any of their Eyewitness books. In the ASB Library, we now have over two dozen new DK Eyewitness travel books to help plan any of your future trips. These books help to demonstrate the culture, history, and highlights of any destination. From Malaysia to Italy to China to India, we have many to choose from.

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Amelia’s Journals, by Marissa Moss

Dear Librarian — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:13:34 +0000

Marissa Moss’ journals are addictive. What started with Amelia’s notebook has continued into many books about Amelia’s life. She writes about her family, about road trips, about notepassing, about babysitting, about just about anything. The best part about these journals are the fun illustrations that accompany the entries. You can see Amelia’s sister’s nose changed into a pig, or a flow chart on notepassing, or depictions of embarrassing moments. No matter which Amelia journal you pick up, you’re sure to enjoy it–and also feel a little inspired to start a journal of your own.

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Don’t Forget Your Etiquette! by David Greenberg

Dear Librarian — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:27:40 +0000

This book is hilarious! First of all, I think you will be severely disciplined if you follow the tips in this book. But, on the other hand, if you want to be really, really naughty you should definitely follow the rules found in this book. David Greenberg writes a zany, fun book telling us all we should do to be “essentially misbehaviored!” This book is a hoot not to mentions totally tempting. I wish we could all get away by doing what he says!

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