Book Review: Up All Night

Up All Night by by Peter Abrahams, Libba Bray, David Levithan, Patricia Mccormick, Sarah Weeks, Gene Yang (short stories)
Review by Meg

This collection of six short stories shows just how much can happen in the space between sunset and sunrise. You can come to terms with your father's homosexuality, or with his death. You can learn how to drive, and how to drive off a threatening stepfather. You can write a story or care for a sick mouse or learn to deal with disappointment. You can discover who you really are and how you really feel. There really is a lot you can do in one night, and these stories explore it all, from the ordinariness of English homework to the exratordinary tale of a beloved father's ghost. My favorite by far was Libba Bray's Not Just for Breakfast Anymore, a story of a teenager learning to cope with the fact that her father is gay. David Levithan's contribution was also very good. Others I didn't like so much, particularly one written in the form of a comic, but on the whole, this was an excellent collection of stories by some of the best young adult authors around.

Victoriana

In honor of her new book The Sweet Far Thing, 14 teens came to our Libba Bray Cele-BRAY-tion last night. It was basically a Victorian-style event with tea, crafts, and games. We started out with a dance card icebreaker, then had hot tea and finger sandwiches. After that, we learned about the meanings of flowers and had a contest to write down what flowers in a bouquet would be best for certain situations. Later, we played Hunt the Slipper and made Victorian valentines. Finally, we had our costume contest. Kara won (as usual!), but Kaitlyn B. had the most creative costume. She came as one of the factory girls from the new book!

People who hadn't read the books certainly will now because we had so much fun. If you are looking for the trilogy, the books are A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing.

Great costumes!

The food

OMG she's wearing her wig!

It's springy!

Filling up the dance cards as people arrived

What class! What style!

Making Victorian-style valentines

Another table working on their valentines

Excellent costume contest entries!

Get in Touch with Your Victorian Side!

This Friday night, we are having a Libba Bray Cele-BRAY-tion in honor of the completion of her amazing trilogy. These stories take place in the Victorian era, but have an excellent fantasy component and a lot of mystery. Even if you haven't read the books, you should come to the party! We are going to do crafts, eat finger sandwiches and drink tea, play parlour games, and generally act high-class. Also, dress in your best Victorian-style costume to win prizes. The event will be from 6:30 to 8:30 on Friday night, so sign up now!

Book Review: The Sweet Far Thing

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

Click on the book to see which libraries own it.

I started the first book of this series on a snowy winter night three years ago, when I was supposed to be covering it for the library. So it seems a fitting end to my reading that I finished the third book tonight at the library, as it is snowing outside!

After years of waiting for this book, it did not disappoint. The writing style was atmospheric and haunting, much like the first book. Having bound all the magic of the realms to herself as a means of protecting it, Gemma must decide how to restore it properly. This is made complicated by power struggles in the real world and in the realms. As the story progressed, I enjoyed the suspense of not knowing who was giving Gemma true advice. And I really enjoyed her increasingly intense relationship with Kartik! The conclusion of the story reduced me to tears several times, but it was beautifully done.

If you have not read this series, check out A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels before reading this book. I highly recommend this trilogy, even though I *gasp* forgot to include it in my current trilogy blog poll!