The last Elizabeth Scott I read was LIVING DEAD GIRL. Her latest offering, SOMETHING MAYBE, is a real change of pace: a light and funny romance novel. Who knew? Well, the cover was a dead giveaway, I guess, but I was listening to this book as I drove through the wind and rain to San Antonio.

Hannah has some rather unusual parents: her father (who lives in NY) is a former playboy who still behaves like one complete with his own reality TV show. He has had little contact with Hannah for years. Her mother is a former TV star who runs a web site now for her fans. Clad in seductive clothing, she is hardly the model mother. Hannah works for a burger joint, answering phones and taking orders. The one good thing in her life is that on e of her co-workers, Josh, is dreamy, perfect for her if only he were available.

Though predictable for adult readers, I suspect most teens will find this romance more than satisfying. I find it fascinating to see the range of the author in these two books.

The wonderful folks at Bolinda Audio sent me a copy of WHERE THE STREETS HAD A NAME by Randa Abdel-Fattah (Bolinda, 2009) since I am a huge fan of DOES MY HEAD LOOK BIG IN THIS? and TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT ME. Here is the story of Hayatt, a young woman whose life has been touched by the violence in the West Bank. She and her family have been forced from their land and relocated on the other side of the West Bank. There are curfews, ID cards, travel restrictions, and occasionally an attack. One such attack has left Hayatt scarred and her best friend killed. Now Hayatt's Sitti Zeynab is ill. Hayatt and her friend want to travel back to Sitti's village and retrieve some of the soil from her homeland. Their journey will be a dangerous one. Abdel-Fattah gives readers a glimpse of the conflict in this region all through the eyes of Hayatt. And that is what makes the story so immediate. We see Hayatt as a typical 13 year old who is anything but typical because of the death and destruction she has witnessed first hand. However, she can be the playful friend, the pesky younger sister, the attitudinal teen and all in the blink of an eye. Her matter-of-fact description of the perilous journey into Jerusalem is a snapshot of the problem in all of its complexity. No easy solutions offered here, just one young teen's take on the injustice of her young life. The narrator is masterful with the dialects making this book more accessible to readers unfamiliar with the words and cadences of the Middle East.

This is the audiobook that took me from San Antonio back home yesterday. I have already read and talked about this incredible book here on the blog, but I loved having a second chance to visit with Miranda and her family and friend in WHEN YOU REACH ME (Wendy Lamb Books, 2009). The narrator perfectly captures Mira's 12 year old thoughts and feelings and fears in this mystery/science fiction/coming of age story. The pacing is slow and deliberate, absolutely essential for the careful unfolding of this multi-layered tale. What I especially love about listening to a book I have already read once is that I catch those wonderful turns of phrases, those perfect little sentences, those encapsulations of an event or an emotion: what I call wordsmithing. Rebecca Stead is a master smither of words here. What a lovely way to travel!

On the way home, FYI, I spotted an ostrich striding past a bronzed sculpture of a bison in a horse corral and a plaster gorilla painted in shades of green and purple in a churchyard outside of La Grange (insert ZZ Topp riff here). Ah, Texas...

I am hard at work on my VOYA audiobook review column today (about 75% there). I am writing about audiobooks from novels that contain some rather intense content. One of the audios, the one I just finished listening to in the car yesterday, is TENDER MORSELS by Margo Lanagan. The audio is from Brilliance, and I must admit to being a little nervous about how this book would translate into an audio format. I asked Margo Lanagan at ALA what she thought of the audio. She said she had listened to just a short snippet, but she was quite pleased. I concur.



The two narrators do a remarkable job of bringing the reader through some of the darkest scenes in YA in this bleak landscape that is Liga's life. Two daughters: one conceived from incest and the other through a brutal gang rape. Yet somehow the brutality, though still present, is somehow "softer." That is not quite the word I am searching for here. But sometimes words fail. When I told the resident of the back bedroom that I was going to listen to this one in the car, she almost shuddered. It was one of the rare books that she handed back to me last year. It was too much for her. I understood. And I told her that I did not have to listen to the book while she was in the car. She muttered something to the effect that she could always plug into her iPod, so I began the audio. I finished it yesterday while she was not in the car. She asked me today of the ending was happy or at least almost happy. It seems she got caught up in Liga and Urrda and Branza and their story even through the screen of her music.

So, for this column I am writing about audios from book that deal with some tough issues and topics. Is it easier to read these as books or listen to them as audio? No real answer from me, but an interesting question, I think.

Now back to the column...

I left the hotel at 7-ish and walked over to the Fairmont for my Printz meeting. Along the way, I paused to take a few snaps showing what is going on outside whilst I am inside.




Here is a sign advertising the Art Show taking place this weekend along Michigan Avenue. And in case there was any doubt, take a look at this, American Gothic Texas style




Then, I crossed the river and headed to the hotel.




Between morning and afternoon Printz sessions, I was part of an audio panel with many of my Sisterhood of the Best.Committee.Ever (that's Odyssey Committee to the newer readers of the blog). Here is Connie Rockman listening intently.




And here is the appreciative audience waiting for the session to get underway:




Then, mre Printz. Now I am back in my room to prepare for the Newbery Banquet. I will try to send some tweets and pix from the event.

Up at 4 am and hit the road by 5 to drive over to San Antonio for the Heinemann Institute featuring Beers and Probst. I get to talk about new books after lunch.

On the drive over here, I listened to Gayle Foreman's IF I STAY. Again, I am fascinated with the different ways we respond to audio. Here is a book I had already read. How would the listening affect me? Well, let's just say that I was so happy I decided with put makeup on once I arrived in San Antonio. Otherwise, I would have black stains on my face and clothes from mascara-tinted tears. I do know the reading of the book struck me but I do not think the weeping was quite at this level.

Good audio. Nice pace. Narrator who does voices well, handles accents. Also makes teen sound like teens and not children, no small feat. The rest of my notes are in the car, so this will have to suffice.

Spending hours in the car with a 16 year old is not always fun. However, the resident of the back bedroom and I drove to San Antonio Tuesday and then back home today after teaching an all day children's lit class yesterday. I took 2 audiobooks along. The resident had her iPod just in case. We began with WINTERGIRLS by Laurie Halse Anderson (Brilliance Audio). At first, the resident was squirmy about the topic as it is something she sees at school to some degree. She progressed from squirmy to impatient to riveted. When we stopped for refueling and food, she wanted to hurry so we could get back to the book. She is now devouring my copy of the book when I hinted that the book was interesting from a format perspective. The, we turned to EVERYTHING IS FINE by Anne Dee Ellis (Listening Library).




The resident has now absconded with the audio as we arrived home before we had finished listening. Even though I might sometimes wish my teen-rearing years were behind me, I must admit that seeing the resident still devour books with eyes and ears is heartening. She recently listened to ENDER'S GAME and is revisiting HARRY POTTER in audio as well.

Been absent from blogging regularly this month after getting off to a good start. Here is what I have been doing.

1. In addition to doing some big time house stuff (new furniture for our bedroom, desk and bookcases for the resident of the back bedroom, sleeper sofa for the office, end tables and lamps for the living room),

2. I have been listening to the finalists for the Audies in the teen/YA category. Listening total is about 45 hours, so I have been attached to the iPod for several hours each day. I wanted to listen to these more than once just to verify my evaluations. That does not leave much time for reading.

3. Yesterday, I bought a copy of WATCHMEN since most folks have said the movie will not make much sense unless you know the story going in. I read the first 3 chapters when taking a break from the audiobooks. I think I might require this one for my YA lit class. I am enjoying it more than I thought I would.

4. Packed and ready to go to California to spend time with my sister and her family. Thought the flight was at 9 AM and it is actually 9 PM. Flights have been cut back big time.

5. Read all of my first round books for the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, a new award that will be given by ALAN in the fall. Now I am waiting to see which books will go on to Round Two.

6. Scout loves the new bedroom furniture as it allows him to jump from the tall dresser to the high window. There he can watch the birds and other activity. Getting down is a little different story. He likes to do things the hard way. Down is via the armoire to the bed, a giant leap which requires the armoire doors be closed so he can sort of "slide" down.

Back to listening.

Listened to this on the way to the RGV this weekend.




Full Cast Audio's production of Gail Carson Levine's FAIREST is enchanting. It would be so simple for this novel and its audio production to slip into a Disney-esque story. Full Cast Audio avoids that pitfall nicely and brings to life the story of Aza, she of the lilting voice, who goes to see the royal wedding and ends up as a lady in waiting to the new queen who discovers Aza's ability to throw her voice. Aza will sing for the queen in a kingdom where a beautiful voice means more than a lovely face. It is at the castle that Aza falls in love with Prince Ijori. Of course, the prince does not know of Aza's secret ability and when she is found out, there will be a rpice to pay. Having a full cast for this audio means that all the voices are simply perfect. I particularly loved the voices of the cook and one of the gnomes in addition to Aza's lovely singing voice. I do not think I can drive any more without a good audio to travel along with me. This one proved excellent company, to be exact.

Got Scout and Rocky both curled up near me for heat, sleeping peacefully though Rocky is hacked off that Scout is in her place on the bed. Time to cat-ch up with what I have been reading and listening to over the weekend.

Read this.




The year is 1972 and Sabine and her family are Indians living in Uganda. The leader of Uganda, Idi Amin, declares that all non-Africans in Uganda must leave the country within 90 days. At first, Sabine and her family think they will not be included in this mandate. After all, Sabine was born in Uganda; her family are all citizens. However, when the soldiers and police begin to take actions against the Indian population, Sabine's family knows their lives are in peril. This interesting piece of historical fiction would make a good addition to a unit on conflict, war, corruption, and other like subjects in history classes.

Listened to this.




This is one of the Odyssey Honor Award winning audios for 2009. The first book in this series was also an Odyssey honor winner from last year. Once again, Katie Kelgren b rings her considerable narrative talents to the continuing saga of Jacky Faber, now off ship and on land at a finishing school. Things do not go well for Jacky who ultimately ends up arrested for showing her knee while dancing and playing her tin whistle. Kelgren sings beautifully in addition to bringing to life the likes of a New Orleans born madame, a drunken Irishman, and an assortment of snotty boarding school girls. This made the 8 hour trip back from the RGV fly quickly.

Annabelle is beginning middle school in a brand new school. She and her mother have moved 30 miles from their old neighborhood since Mom is moving in with her boyfriend who Annabelle calls Dweeble. The first day of school is a disaster; Annabelle is late for class and is misdirected by another students when she gets lost. Before too long, her name is not Annabelle but Spazabelle and then just Spazz. One boy kicks the back of her seat all during English class. Another snatches work out of her hands. What can she do? Her book about training the new puppy in her life just might have the answer. After all, boys are dogs. Why, then, should Annabelle not use some of the same techniques to bring unruly boys into line?

Listening to this audio from Brilliance brought back some memories of the years I worked with this age group. The author is spot on in her observations and the narrator absolutely gets the cadence and inflection of tween speak perfectly. This audio made the trip back from San Antonio fly by.

I love Larry, er Josh. I adored him from the moment Janet Tashjian introduced him in THE WORLD ACCORDING TO LARRY. I followed his exploits in VOTE FOR LARRY (and quite frankly he was a better candidate that year) and now we have THE WORLD ACCORDING TO LARRY. I listened to this in audio on the trip to and from McAllen this past weekend. Josh is back home happy to be a couch potato when his life makes a huge turn. He meets a guru out in the Thoreau house in the woods. Next thing he knows, Josh is becoming part of a commune of sorts. However, there is something strange about his guru and the other followers. Events spiral out of control and soon Josh is convinced that someone is planting land mines in Thoreau's woods and selling paint-by-number paintings as the work of refugee children. I do not want to give away too much more as it will spoil the various zigs and zags of the story plus the punchline to follow. Suffice to say that Josh/Larry is a fascinating person and Janet Tashjian needs to continue telling us the rest of his story. The narrator for the audio uses an appropriately youthful voice for Larry/Josh and manages to distinguish among the others in this crazy cast of characters. Tashjian plays herself in a foreword and afterword, too. Nice bonus.

I head off tomorrow for Denver where the temps will dip with each day ALA is there. Brrr.........

I love listening to Neil Gaiman narrate his own books. There is almost an instant intimacy, a strong connection between listener and narrator. And I adore CORALINE in all of its incarnations. I read the novel, the graphic novel, now the audio and soon the movie. Can't get enough of this wonderfully creepy story. Gaiman narrates almost dead pan in places, and this raises the "ick" factor nicely (black button eyes, doughy disintegration). If any of you have not experienced CORALINE in one format, rush out now and get the format of your choice. I just hope the movie lives up to Gaiman's creation. I feel pretty good about this going in as it is in Tim Burton's capable hands.

I started another audio and hope to finish it off this week before heading off to Denver and ALA. For now, I am content to sit here and let Scout tell me how much he missed me.

The drive from home to Mc Allen in the Rio Grande Valley was rather uneventful. I did pass a pick up that had a dead goat in the back. Guess cabrito is on the menu somewhere tonight. I was sort of a Stephen King moment for me. I do not think I have ever seen a goat in the back of a truck (alive or dead). Newly minted college grad called me when I was about 30 minutes outside of McAllen to tell me she is now newly employed as well as graduated. Cali had several interviews with this company, so this was not a total surprise. However, we are thrilled and so is she that she now has a real job (and a really nice salary to go with it) that will include teaching folks how to use software and also blogging for the company. Ah, the acorn does not fall far from the tree....

I listened to this on the drive down:




This companion to THE SCHWA WAS HERE by Neal Shusterman (Dutton, 2008) is read by the author. Shusterman does a terrific job bringing Antsy (Anthony) and Gunnar (Umlaut is his last name) and all of the various quirky characters to life in the audio. When Antsy learns that Gunnar is dying of a rare disease, he tells Gunnar that he (Antsy) will give Gunnar a month of his own (Antsy's) life. Before long, others are chiming in with donations. The goal: to give Gunnar another 50 years so he can live to a ripe old age (well, 65, at least). Of course, there are complications. Antsy falls in love/lust with Gunnar's older sister; Aunt Mona (aptly named) comes for a visit full of her usual complaints (and I swear I know several folks who are just like her). The restaurant Antsy's parents run (Paris, Capice: a fusion of French and Italian food) control so much of the family's time and efforts. And there is more, much more, in this hilarious and touching story that twists and turns unexpectedly.

Time flew as I fell into this story. I have two more audios for the drive back home and am already looking forward to CORALINE as read b y Neil Gaiman. Should be yummy.

For now, I return to the old fashioned form of story: an actual book! I want to finish it this weekend, too. Tomorrow dawns early and class runs most of the day. But an entire day to talk about YA lit to a captive audience....priceless.

Quick update from Nashville and the YALSA Literature Institute while I am in between sessions. Last night at the Happy Hour hosted by Little Brown (and the ever charming Victoria Stapleton), the liquor and the ARCs flowed. However, I elected not to join in the frenzy for the ARCs since I was fearful of losing a limb! There are going to be newbie librarians going back home having to pay horrendous fees for overweight luggage. Not me. I will wait until NCTE in San Antonio in just a few short days and pack them into the car for my drive home instead. Much cheaper, and more $$$ for margaritas.


This morning's first session for me was the one on audiobooks conducted by Sharon Grover (who will be the next chair of the Odyssey Committee) and featuring Jerene Battisti (who is running for president elect of YALSA) and Mary Burkey (Best. Chair. Ever.). A panel with Tim Ditlow (Brilliance audio and formerly Listening Library), Alfred Martino (Listen and Live audio) and Robin Whitten (Audiofile). WOW, wow, wow. I took copious notes and just enjoyed this so much. Special feature here was Katie Kellgrenn, narrator of the BLOODY JACK audiobooks who spoke eloquently of audio and its importance and then read a scene from the novel. It was incredible.

YALSA listened to its members and put together this incredible first institute. Members responded by coming in droves to attend and learn more about books and reading in all its different forms. How much fun is it to be a member of an organization that recognizes the importance of books and reading?

As I listen to different books I have been pondering response as an issue. I talked a little about this in a post a few days ago with LITTLE BROTHER. Today, I listened to HATE THAT CAT by Sharon Creech (HarperAudio, 2008).






I read this lovely book in ARC some time ago and loved it. I have also heard Sharon Creech read from the book. Maybe that is why I did not enjoy this audio version read by Scott Wolf? He seemed to speak in exclamation points and to read the text as it appears on the page and not, I think, as Creech would have us hear it since it is a novel in verse. That's a tricky thing. The other sticky wicket here was his reading the concrete poem about an overstuffed yellow chair. Sorry, that does not translate at all in audio. So, I think this is one to read with the eyes and not with the ears.

The family is finally giving me some cake and ice cream for my b-day which was last week. I complained that I did not even get to go out for a b-day dinner since I was in Iowa. So, hubby took the hint and brought home cake and ice cream. Should be interesting to see his selections.

Despite a raging case of laryngitis from speaking all day yesterday with my cold, I managed to give an interview on the phone with a Chicago journalist. Cannot wait to see how I can be misquoted this time.