It's Valentine's Day!

"Happy artificial holiday with strong commercial overtones."  Lee handed me a wrinkled white paper bag.  She was wearing a shirt with a heart on it.  I guess in honor of Valentine's Day.  Except it was a real heart.

"Happy that to you, too."  I looked inside the bag and shook it a bit.  Jelly beans.  All black.  "I don't have anything for you."

"Reciprocity is not manditory," she said.

"Now that would make a good T-shirt."

--p. 192

Book Review: Attack of the Vampire Weenies

Attack of the Vampire Weenies, and Other Warped and Creepy Tales by David Lubar

Review by Saranjeet
(This book will be released on May 24, 2011)

This new book by David Lubar is a truly humorous book.  The collection of stories all related to the title of the book in one way or another.  Each story seemed to be well thought-out.  There was definitely a plot twist in each one so the resolutions ended up somewhere unexpected.  The humor made it even the more interesting.  This book is definitely a winner on my list.  It is hilarious, surreal, creative, suspenseful, and very well-crafted.

NOTE:  Author David Lubar actually visited Sellers Library in 2008.  Check out the pictures here and here.

More Lubar Pix!

Nancy Trimbur, a member of our library board, came to the David Lubar author visit on March 5 and took pictures! Here are some of her shots from the evening:

A lot of people purchased books.

The book sales area was always packed.


David working the crowd!

There was a long line for book signing.

David took time with everyone, which was really nice.

Some older fans, and a new one!

Lubar Was Here!

Tonight, a record-breaking 54 people came to our library to meet author David Lubar! It was really cool. We kept having to get out more chairs, and everyone was crowding around the table to buy books! There were a lot of different people there, including book group members, parents, teachers from several UD schools, students who wanted extra credit, and others who were just curious. There were people who use our library regularly and people I've never seen before!

David (who teased me for calling him Mr. Lubar) talked for about 1/2 hour about all kinds of things. We all knew he was an author, but we learned that math actually helped him be a writer. And that his philosophy degree helped him design video games. And that weird "what if" questions are central to his writing. His presentation was offbeat and a lot of fun. He hardly talked about his books at all until the Q&A part of the evening. Of course, then we talked about why his short story books all have "weenies" in the title. We learned that his future books include another "weenies" book, three books in a creepy new series, and another young adult title.

Thanks to the staff at Children's Book World for doing book sales, and to library page Nate who moved so much furniture. Thanks to Delaware County and Margie Stern who brought David to our library. And, of course, huge thanks to David Lubar for being awesome!

An action shot

What a great audience!

My brush with fame.

A smiling, but unwilling, victim of my photo frenzy.

Talking with David Lubar.

Everyone wanted to get books signed...

...even these teachers from BH!

Countdown to Lubar

Only 5 1/2 more days until David Lubar is at our library!! He will be here Wednesday, March 5, at 7:00 pm for an author talk and book signing. In honor of his visit, the blog poll is asking you to select your favorite Lubar books. If you want to know more about his books, check out David Lubar's website.

David Lubar Is Coming!

Since the visit is only a month away (March 5), it's time to start getting ready!

I've posted this before, but I think David's young adult novel kit is really humorous. Just fill in the blanks to create your own storyline! Here's my most recent story idea:

As the story opens, the main character is in jail because she feels disaffected. On the advice of her ouija board she is creating free verse about the traumatic past, during which her puppy tragically committed suicide. While recording these events, she meets a hobbit who is even worse off than her, and soon commits suicide, helping the main character realize that life is just like a puppy.