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Put this in your earholes

Some audio recs from our members

Kelli

1. The audio-book for Feed by M.T. Anderson read by David Aaron Baker and a full cast is phenomenal. The book is already a harrowing glimpse into a society that feels less and less futuristic but the live cast recording pulls you into some of the more jarring moments in a fully immersive way.

Jamie

2. Neil Gaiman’s Coraline read by the author is a creepy, fantastic journey into a young girl finding her courage to navigate what is truly home. Gaiman’s simultaneously soothing and darkly expressive voice is a great way to experience this children’s horror classic.

Jennifer

3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is heartbreaking and hilarious. Narrated by the author, it’s a wonderful chronicle of a Native American boy’s adolescence as he tries to break away from the life he was destined to live.

Mary Pat

4. Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik is currently a nominee for the 2018 Lincoln Award (a readers’ choice award for grades 9-12 in Illinois).  Andi Arndt is the narrator of this somewhat irreverent biography of the national treasure that is RBG.

Laura Princess X by Cherie Priest - This is a must listen for anyone even mildly interested in comic books, mysteries, and kickass female characters. The narrator does an amazing job of presenting the story with all of its twists to keep the listener hooked and interested. And a few from Julia The Gates by John Connolly - The Gates is the hilariously strange tale of Samuel Johnson, his dog, and their first encounter with the opening of the gates of hell. The book is wonderfully quirky, in part due to the author's regular footnotes. These notes are retained in the audiobook and the narrator is the perfect choice for this story. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater - Will Patton narrates the entire series and does a fantastic job. The character voices are easy to follow and never obnoxious. The books are addictive, and you won't want to put your headphones down. Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke - This audiobook is perfect for fans of We Were Liars. Three narrators do an excellent job of telling the mysterious story from different vantage points. Each character is well developed, and the story will keep you guessing.

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CI Hometown Heroes

Fun fact about the Central Illinois chapter of FYA book club - our Champaign-Urbana contingent all know each other because they’re involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters. Some are bigs, one is a case manager too, one is a board member. So, volunteering is something that comes easily to lots of our group members. 

For the summer showdown, we have two projects. One is to donate to a local classroom requesting funds to buy books on donorschoose.org.

The second project is that we’re going to collect books at our August meeting to donate to some Little Free Libraries in the area. Since some of us live an hour away from each other, this one will have to wait a few weeks to complete, but we’re really excited to do it!

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Trying to recreate the beginning of The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner. We thought about making it super morbid and having Travis be dead, but that seemed hard to show in a photo...

“People live quiet lives and that's okay. There's dignity in that, no matter what you may think.”

“The worst days spent with her were better than the best days spent without her.”

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as a Highlights magazine cover

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Low key cover cosplay

Spotted on the way out of my building today, I caught a new neighbor right before she was about to leave for work, sporting Cinder's nearly exact shoe. She was weary of a stranger taking her picture, but totally cool of just a close up of the shoe. What a way to slay a Friday, you go girl!

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Lewks for Less

Liv Moore, iZombie

Jamie transormed into Liv using a (new, so clean) mop for her white hair, a rice krispie blue brain (using Wilton food coloring and icing), and heavy lips and eyes, accompanied by not fully rubbed in moisturizer to add a pale sheen.

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Pizza! Pizza!

Owen from Sarah Dessen's Just Listen

Owen Armstrong is not one to say no to pizza. Though he loves going with Annabel (and Rolly) to World of Waffles after his morning DJ show, sometimes a breakfast pizza from the gas station just hits the spot.  Eggs and melted cheese on a pizza crust is a great combo, and with bacon, naturally, it's damn near perfect. And even better with Rolly paying, since the bet's still on.

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Cover Switches

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and 13 Little Blue Envelopes

from team member Jennifer

The cover of Frankie is a BLUE ENVELOPE! And this cover of 13 (this is non-headless girl the British cover and there’s no way we could have a headless Frankie) has many envelopes, 13 in fact, and Frankie sends out more than one invitation in her plans. And I personally think a hunt through England while opening envelopes, the envelopes having basset hound wax seals is absolutely appropriate.

Heartless and A Court of Thorns and Roses

from team member Jamie

Admittedly similar to begin with, but the girl on the cover of Court could absolutely be Cath as she turns into the Queen of Hearts (sorry, spoilers? I mean, if you've read anything about the book, you know how it ends... so sorry, not sorry?). Also, if you're headed to face what Feyre is facing, I'd want that sword forming the T in Heartless.

The Tragedy Paper and Belzhar

from team member Mary Pat

I've read and loved both of these books, and I still get the covers mixed up, even before this challenge. Two boarding school books, with main characters who have some serious shit happening to them and in their own heads. Both have prominent scenes that happen around a major snowfall. Very different things happen in these two books, but both covers convey the same melancholy hope, at least to me. 

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Sam Dutton, MPDG (Recipe)

Our best drink was our Manic Pixie Dream Girl. We went with Sam Dutton from The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It’s a twist on a gin and tonic but with a sweet side. Mature and sweet, just like Sam.

¾ cup (ish) Ocean Spray Cranberry-Peach Bellini Mocktail shot & a half Tanqueray splash of tonic dash of grapefruit bitters

Shake with ice. Garnish with grapefruit and lime.

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Seven Days of You by Cecelia Vinesse. Playing with calendars again. 

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In honor of member Jana’s recent engagement, here’s her sparkly and beautiful ring on the cover of Eligible. 

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

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Now I want to go and read Lola (and Anna and Isla) again. Nice choice. +5 bonus points from Central Illinois

We think vegetarian and San Francisco native Lola would be a fan of the vegetarian Nature’s Choice pizza from Kansas City favorite, Minskey’s Pizza.  It would be on the thin & crispy crust (a must for good California-style pizza), using the Daiyo dairy-free vegan cheese (a favorite of our own vegan member, Carmen). It comes with artichoke hearts, zucchini, green peppers, mushrooms and onions and is topped with sliced tomatoes and slivered almonds. Add an avocado mango salad with lime chili garlic vinaigrette on the side and it’s the perfect combo of comfort food, healthy eats, and cruelty-free.

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What time is it? Mixology time!

Did any of you see that Huffington Post article about the adorable eight-year-old who had a fantastic Hamilton themed birthday party? Uh, we were super jealous when we saw this and looking for a reason to have a Hamilton party. Thank you, YA Summer Showdown for giving us a reason to do this! And giving me a reason to wear my shirt that combines two of my favorite things - Hamilton and grammar!

First off, some of the decorations -

One of the main things our book club likes to focus on is food! We love an excuse to eat. And this is where the puns really peaked.

These brownies were the best thing ever.

The My Shots were an amazing Biscoff creation.

But on to the reason for the party…

Look at that table full of fun! Raise a glass to freedom, indeed!

We made a variety of delicious drinks. Here are a few.

First off, a couple A.Ham drinks -

the Red, White & Booze

1 part raspberry vodka 1 part sparkling pomegranate Izze  1 part tonic water twist of lemon

Serve over ice. Stir and enjoy!

Founders Fizz

shot of gin shot of lime juice 5 or 6 raspberries

Shake with ice. Pour into a glass, add a splash of tonic and a dash of cherry bitters.

The Lightning Thief

1 part tequila 1 part pineapple juice 1 part grapefruit juice

Shake with ice. Serve with a twist of lime. 

Our best drink was our Manic Pixie Dream Girl. We went with Sam Dutton from The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

3/4 cup (ish) Ocean Spray Cranberry-Peach Bellini Mocktail shot & a half Tanqueray splash of tonic dash of grapefruit bitters

Shake with ice. Garnish with grapefruit and lime.

Just like Sam, a sweet and mature drink. The lime garnish is a nod to Sam’s green eyes. 

After drinks and food and some book club talk we took a bunch of silly pictures. 

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The Signs as YA Tropes

Aries - Out of League Crush

Taurus - Secret Crush

Gemini - Love Triangle

Cancer - Quirky Best Friend Sidekick

Leo - Big Dance Disaster

Virgo - Fake Relationship That Will Turn into Something Real

Libra - The Jock with a Big Game

Scorpio - DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince parents (aka Parents Just Don’t Understand)  

Sagittarius - Obsessive Fandom

Capricorn - Perfectionist, Straight A Student

Aquarius - Mysterious Loner Dude

Pisces - Hate Turns into Love Relationship

But we have an alternate, more sarcastic version too!

Aries - dystopian society

Taurus - love triangle

Gemini - dystopian society

Cancer - love triangle

Leo - dystopian society

Virgo - dystopian society

Libra - love triangle

Scorpio - dystopian society

Sagittarius - love triangle

Capricorn - dystopian society, with a love triangle

Aquarius - love triangle, in a dystopia

Pisces - agnst

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Just then, I realized something. “I think I may know where Dacey has your brother.” I hoped my hunch was right.

“Where?”

“Emily and Dacey’s grandma is traveling all summer and they’ve been taking turns house sitting. Last week Dacey told Emily that she was just going to stay there the rest of the time and that Emily should stay away. I bet that’s her headquarters and where she has your brother. What’s your brother’s name?” I realized she hadn’t said it.

For the first time, Diana almost smiled. “Benedict. Let’s make a plan.”

I texted Emily to meet me at my house. It was time to make a plan to take down Dacey - I cannot called her La Lupine without rolling my eyes. I knew Emily would be willing to help. She was really mad at Dacey when she kicked her out of her grandma’s house.

Diana and I gathered some supplies and went back to my house. Emily was already there. She thought that I’d need some support after failing at tryouts, so she was armed with ice cream and Chex Mix. We hatched a plan for Emily to lure Dacey out of the house. Emily had a key to the house, so we hoped it wouldn’t be too hard to get inside. We had no way of knowing how many creatures we were up against. This wasn’t going to be easy. Our best hope was to get Benedict out unscathed. We made a plan, got in a few hours of rest, and were standing at the back door  at dawn.

All right, @ALVFYA, it’s up to you to finish this!

I’d known that this tryout was going to be hard, but I had no idea it would be impossible. I mean, basically impossible. I’d spent all summer training, focusing on my reaction speeds just like EJ warned, only to show up and find out that everything had changed. Like, CHANGED. Overnight.

My big competition for goalkeeper, Taylor, got bit this summer, the night of the Fourth of July. She and her brothers were lighting illegal fireworks out on the basketball court, late, after everyone had gone home from the city-sponsored show, and when the cops showed up she ran blindly into the woods toward the park, and that’s where it happened. I didn’t find out until I showed up at tryouts, of course, otherwise I wouldn’t have come, or I would have went out, maybe, for volleyball instead. Because if you’ve seen Teen Wolf (and who hasn’t) you know that no one can beat a werewolf on a court or a field. No one. I looked like an idiot out there.

You’re up @vancityfya

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As someone who works in a public library, I have a soft spot for Macy (though there is not way in world she would have that much responsibility, but that’s not the point). The graphic at the beginning is fantastic! +5 bonus points from CIFYA!

Little Rock River Market MysterYAy Hike!

Hi, I’m Macy from The Truth about Forever. Today, I’ll be your guide on a Mystery Hike in downtown Little Rock, in what we call The River Market! I’m not a paid tour guide – I am doing this for extra credit – so tips will be greatly appreciated! We have started here at the Main Library for the Central Arkansas Library System because I work here at the information desk, so please feel free to stop by and see me any time. I also work a second job in the River Market, so I’m sort of an expert.

I’ve positioned a bunch of my YA friends in locations around the River Market. You’ll recognize them from some of your favorite books. Find a YA character you know, and they’ll tell you about the location they’re in! Let’s go!

(Psst - throughout this hike, my commentary will be in bold.)

SIMON SPIER and BEX PORTER

Hey! I’m Simon from Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, and this is Bex from The Royal We. We’re hanging out at the Ron Robinson Theater for Terror Tuesdays, when they show vintage horror movies for $2 admission. This week’s showing is Rocky Horror Picture Show!

CELAENA SARDOTHIEN

Hi friends, I’m Celaena from the Throne of Glass books. Next door to the Ron Robinson Theater is one of my favorite clothing boutiques, Fringe.

Now that you’ve met a couple of my friends, you’re off to a great start! Let’s take a lunch break at one of my favorite music venues – Sticky’z Rock’n’Roll Chicken Shack. Come back tomorrow to catch Brilliant or Catastrophic’s show - you probably heard about them in Saint Anything. Let’s head across the street - I see a couple of familiar faces.

Keep reading

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Literally

The Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro

(Side note. I love July because that’s when I can buy a new planner. Or planners. I’m very particular and have a hard time finding the perfect one.)

Anywho…