Okay, everyone knows that I love to read, but I have a confession to make. Sometimes I start a book and I don't finish - now mind you this happens rarely but it does happen. I am here to tell you now, that it is okay. It is okay to take a book home, start it and then realize that you don't like it.

     For example, I took Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink home last week; I read 107 pages and realized I was not lovin' the book but I also realized that people who liked the Gemma Doyle series by Libba Bray or The Fetch by Laura Whitcomb would love the book - so mission accomplished. Another example would be this weekend, I had been anxiously awaiting Audrey Niffenegger's Her Fearful Symmetry because I loved The Time Traveler's Wife enough to read it twice (and I typically don't reread books but my book group chose it,) but after reading 5 pages I realized this was not going to be the book for me. Now this does not mean I might not go back and try it again later but for now, I have let it go.
 
   So the whole point of this post is to encourage you to take a chance. Not every book is going to be your favorite and sometimes you might not even make it to the end but I promise you that if you give a book, a chance, it might surprise you in the end.

Summer is almost here and I want to be sure that you know how many fun things are going on at the library just for teens.  As always, there is the Teen Reading program.  We want you to visit the library four times this summer in June and July and we want you to read.  That's all.  And if you visit us four times and read 1500 pages we have some awesome prizes for you.  There is a free meal at Chipotle, a skate zone pass, a pool pass, a free saltdogs game, an edge skate park pass, and a free Academy of Rock concert at the end of the summer. 

But there's even more than that going on at the library this summer.  There are lots of great events.  There are crafty things: scrapbooking, bottlecap necklackes, duct tape projects, friendship bracelets, chair decorating, drawing manga, hardware jewelry and more.  There's also things for you tech-savvy people: film festivals, wii games, guitar hero, dance dance revolution.  And there's just all around cool programs like: creative hair designs, TeenProv, several Academy of Rock concerts, chess lessons and tournaments, and Twilight Trivia.

As if all that weren't enough we have some great bookgroups too.  Come hang out with your favorite teen librarians, at your favorite branch and read some great books.  All the information on these groups or these programs can be found online (you already found our website) or in the orage flyer at your  local library. 

I hope to see all of you at the library this summer!

-Karrie

Everything's coming up Manga on Sunday, May 31, from 1:00-2:30, in the fourth floor auditorium of the Bennett Martin Public Library. Audrey will be presenting "Manga and Comics 101" in our first annual Teen Summer Reading Program "Express Yourself" Kickoff. Audrey will define Manga by presenting its history, basic tools, and the basic rules for the anatomy and stylistic distinctions of Manga drawing compared to America comics. Audrey will supply book recommendations and show examples of the art. There will be a guided drawing practice with the opportunity for a one-on-one review. The library will supply paper and fine point pens, but participants are welcome to bring their own drawing equipment. This event is sponsored by the Bennett Martin Public Library Teen Advisory Board.

- Kay

Greetings and salutations! 

    As many of you know, there is only one thing I really want you to do and that would be to read!

Hey, at least I'm consistent.

     So in an effort to reach more of you, I am going to start blogging about books. Now I'm kind of old fashioned but to my way of thinking blogging is basically journaling, or keeping a diary online.    

    Periodically I will talk about one book that I absolutely loved, like Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games or I might talk about a trend that I'm noticing like dead narrators or how I think that zombies are the next big thing! (I mean technically Edward could be a zombie, I mean after all he is the walking dead...)  Feel free to respond with your choices or comments because, as you know, I love to read!

HEY YOU GUYS!

Would you like to sign up excited kids for the Summer Reading Program and help them record their summer reading with stickers and stamps? How about entering information into the computer for summer reading statistics? You could also help with shelving kids’ paperbacks and dvd’s and keep the youth section of the library in order. If this sounds like fun to you, go to the branch library of your choice and sign up to be a SUMMER READING VOLUNTEER. You’ll gain volunteer credit hours and experience while having fun (and we’ll treat you to a party at the end of the summer)! Come join us!