Transworld Skateboarding Magazine

Transworld Skateboarding Magazine is available at the Mahomet Public Library! According to Magazines USA, "TransWorld Skateboarding Magazine is one of the most progressive skateboard magazines in the world. Each monthly issue gives you ground breaking photography covering street, vert, pool and park skating. Other features include in depth buyer’s guides, pro spotlights, trick tips and access to the top pros."

I browsed a few copies, and found lots of interviews and frame-by-frame pictures of skateboarding stunts, as well as advertising for a variety of boards, shoes and clothes. Our most current issue is available to browse in the library, but all past issues may be checked out.

New YA books at the library

Here's a list of items recently added to the Mahomet Public Library YA collection:

Fiction

• I Stay Near You:One Story in Three by M.E. Kerr
• Arthas: the Rise of the Lich King by Christie Golden
• Stop in the Name of Pants! (Confessions of Georgia Nicholson) by
Louise Rennison
• Take a Chance on Me (Gossip Girls) by Cecily Von Ziegesar
• Attica by Garry Kilworth
• Almost Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
• Just One Wish by Janette Rallison


Audiobooks
• Night by Elie Wiesel
• How to Build A House by Dana Reinhardt
• Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr
• Madapple by Christina Meldrum

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyers

I finished the series in record time for me. As I've said before, this series was impossible to put down, and the fourth book, Breaking Dawn, didn't let me down. The final novel is divided into three books, the first and third ones from Bella's perspective, and the second book from Jacob's perspective. We follow Bella through her wedding, honeymoon, pregnancy, and transformation. An impending visit from the Volturi adds tension to the story, as the Cullens prepare to defend themselves against the Volturi, who are determined to acquire the gifted vampires to work for them, or destroy them. Rather than give everything away, feel free to comment on the story, and we can discuss it from there.

I'm looking forward to the release of the movie New Moon, scheduled for November 20, 2009!

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

I finished Eclipse a few days ago. I've heard a few people say they didn't enjoy this book as much as the others, but I still found it pretty good. There were some slow parts, but I felt the book reinforced Jacob's feelings for Bella, and helps us see how she feels about Jacob.

I've started Breaking Dawn (about 300 pages into it), and this one is a little more difficult to grasp for me (As if a world with vampires and werewolves should be easy to grasp in the first place!). I'm also undecided yet on how I feel about the shifting "books" within the book. First we have Bella's viewpoint, now we've shifted to Jacobs...I guess I'll withhold judgement until I finish the book (which shouldn't take long!)

Federal Student Aid resources

Thinking about whether to attend college, and how you'll pay for it? Then download a PDF of the brochure "My Future, My Way: How to Go, How to Pay-A Workbook for Students in Middle and Junior High Schools" . This workbook helps you answer questions such as "Why think about college now?", "What can a college education do for me?", and "How will I pay for college?". This and other Federal Student Aid publications can be downloaded at Student Aid on the Web.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Yesterday I finished New Moon, the second book in the Twilight series. While I didn't find it as exciting as the first book, I still couldn't put it down. Bella spirals into depression when Edward and his family leave Forks, for Bella's own protection. After a few months of withdrawing from life, Bella starts hanging out with Jacob Black, an old friend from her childhood. Bella loves Jacob as a friend, and his friendship helps Bella feel alive again. But conflict arises when Bella sees changes in Jacob that draw him away from her. What is going on with the boys at the reservation? Why has Jacob become so distant? And what brings Alice Cullen back into Bella's life? Read New Moon to find out more...I don't want to spoil it for anyone!

What Should I Read Next?

Not sure what book you should dive into next? Do you have a favorite book, and you'd love to find others like it? Try the website "What Should I Read Next?". Enter the title and author of a favorite book, a database of reader's favorite books is searched, and a list of suggestions is returned. I entered "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer, and a list of 10 suggestions was returned. Take a look, and see if this resource can find books to match your reading interests! In fact, send us a comment to let us know how it worked for you!

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Yes, I'm a little late in reading most popular books. Harry Potter was the same way. But once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down! Unfortunately I had seen the movie first...I wish I had read the book first, so my mind could have created the characters that I read about, rather than the movie dictating the characters for me. Regardless, I LOVED the movie, and I LOVED the book! Edward and Bella's story is very romantic, but very tragic. Bella moves from sunny Phoenix to dreary Forks, Washington to live with her father. She worries that she won't fit in at the new school, but the other students are very friendly. Except for Edward Cullen, who along with his adopted brothers and sisters, keep to themselves. Bella is fascinated by Edward, but confused by his mood changes. What ensues is a complicated romance between a human, Bella, and a vampire, Edward. The back of the book sums up the complexity: "About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him-and I didn't know how dominant that part might be-that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him."

I finished Twilight last night, took a short break, and thought, "I'll just read one chapter of New Moon...which suddenly became three chapters! So far it's as addicting as the first book.