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FEAR THE BOOK : Scary Stories

4/19/2015

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Edgar Allen Poe once stated that "perversity is the human thirst for self-torture." Why do we watch movies that scare us? What is it about the thrill of the unknown, of the uncontrollable that keeps us coming back for more? Why is it fun to torture ourselves with fear? 

The following books all focus on horror, mystery, and fear. 

I am a BIG chicken. I haven't read much of any of these titles, but they get a thumbs up from people who love to be scared. I might give them a try, too- on a really sunny day, with lots of people in my house, and a blanket to hide under when it gets too scary... because having a light and hiding under the sheets always keeps you safe, right? 


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  • Title: Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children
  • Author: Ransom Riggs
  • One sentence summary: Jacob finds the ruins of a school for strange children in Wales, but the more he explores the school, the more he worries that these children may stay be alive.
  • Where I found it: Barnes and Noble - Saugus
  • How is it scary?: Disturbed little kids, a rundown school, and oodles of creepy vintage photographs. 


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  • Title: Fun Home
  • Author: Alison Bechdel
  • One sentence summary: Living in a funeral home is scary enough, but what is more frightening is the fear of facing ourselves and our desires. 
  • Where I found it: Boston Public Library  - Copley
  • Why you should check it out: Fun Home is about facing our families and ourselves. It is about secrets and how the fear of these secrets might lead to our destruction. Also, Fun Home has gone from graphic novel to Broadway musical (which based on my very superficial research, may be a first of its kind). 

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  • Title: Stiff
  • Author: Mary Roach
  • One sentence summary: Roach shows us what happens to the human body post-mortum, from fancy corpse makeup to the science of beheadings to how they made the popular exhibit Bodyworlds
  • Where I found it: I read this book in high school. I found it in an airport convenience store (Hudson News?). It isn't a new title to me, but I thought it fit in this collection
  • How is it scary?: Thinking about the afterlife makes me a little anxious. If you're like me and you are super hemaphobic (afraid of blood) and necrophobic (fear of death and corpses) this book may get you a bit rattled. There were definitely parts where I had to put the book down, but there are so many interesting facts I had to power through it. 


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  • Title: Stitches: A Memoir
  • Author: David Small
  • One sentence summary: Dad's a doctor, and one day he removes your vocal cords, and you have no idea why (oh, also, now you have a huge scary scar on your throat and are mute).
  • Where I found it: Boston Public Library - Charlestown
  • How is it scary?: Family secrets, mysterious medical procedures, scars, and a nightmarish inability to communicate. 


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  • Title: Asylum
  • Author: Madeleine Roux
  • One sentence summary: Good news, you've just been accepted into an elite college prep, bad news, you have to stay in a dorm that used to be a psychiatric asylum.
  • Where I found it: Amazon
  • How is it scary?: Have you ever seen anything set in an asylum end well? The author, Madeleine Roux, visited and researched a bunch of different asylums for inspiration, and the results are chilling. 

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It's a Mad World: Dystopian Novels

4/13/2015

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dystopia
[dis-toh-pee-uh] noun 
  • a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding.
"dystopia." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 07 Apr. 2015. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dystopia>.



Here is a selection of dystopian novels available in the school library:

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  • Title: Graceling
  • Author: Kristin Cashore
  • One sentence plot summary: Katsa has a special set of skills that her uncle, the King, makes her use to his advantage, but usually against her own.
  • Where I found the book: Wakefield Memorial High School - Gov. Volpe Library
  • Why I chose to highlight the title: This title flies off our library's shelf and Kristin Cashore attended Simmons College (same place Miss Kelly originally studied librarianship). 


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  • Title: Birth Marked
  • Author: Caragh M. O'Brien
  • One sentence plot summary: Gaia works as a midwife with her mother, but something isn't quite right when they have to hand over some of the children to the Enclave. 
  • Where I found the book: Wakefield Memorial High School - Gov. Volpe Library
  • Why I chose to highlight the title: Originally I was just superficially attracted to the title because the author has an Irish name. After reading a few pages I was immediately reminded of Lois Lowry's Gathering Blue (one of my favorite dystopian novels). I haven't finished reading this title, but I am intrigued. 


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  • Title: Feed
  • Author: M.T. Anderson
  • One sentence plot summary: In a brave new world, Titus has to navigate the murky waters of consumerism, fake friends, and love all while sounding like a Kardashian (helllloooo upspeak!)
  • Where I found the book: Wakefield Memorial High School - Gov. Volpe Library
  • Why I chose to highlight the title: We see a steady trickle of circulation with this book. We have a ton of copies available and ready for a group read and/or book club. 


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  • Title: Pills and Starships
  • Author: Lydia Millet
  • One sentence plot summary: In the future, everything is illegal. 
  • Where I found the book: Wakefield Memorial High School - Gov. Volpe Library
  • Why I chose to highlight the title: I love the cover of this title. I've been told it resembles one of my favorite novels, White Noise by Don DeLillo. The book also has some interesting takes on the pharmaceutical industry. I recently finished Ben Goldacre's Bad Science, which had a similar take on the ills of big pharma companies. Critics had mixed reviews on this title, I'll have to give it a go myself. 


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A few titles on... || Love and Sexuality ||

4/5/2015

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Between prom-posals and the warm, sunny weather it seems like spring always seems to make the lovebirds come out in full force. The following books are all about the many types of love, intimacy, and heart-break. These three titles talk about love on the rocks, but if you're looking for warm and fuzzy suggestions- feel free to email me. 

-Ms. Kelly

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Title: Blankets

Author: 
Craig Thompson

One Sentence Summary:
In this coming-of-age autobiographical graphic novel, Craig finds himself wrapped up in love, tragedy, and a faith which seems to be breaking. 

Where I found the book: Boston Public Library - Mattapan Branch

What makes it great: 
This book is a behemoth of a graphic novel at 592 pages. A review on the Barnes and Noble website states that the book "may well be the single largest graphic novel ever published without being serialized first." That being said- the novel is worth every page. The illustrations are vivid and gorgeous. New York Times reviewer Ken Tucker summarizes the book best: "In telling his story, which includes beautifully rendered memories of the small brutalities that parents inflict upon their children and siblings upon each other, Thompson describes the ecstasy and ache of obsession (with a lover, with God) and is unafraid to suggest the ways that obsession can consume itself and evaporate".


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Title: Embroideries

Author: 
Marjane Satrapi

One Sentence Summary:
Written and illustrated by Marjane Satrapi (Persepolis) this graphic novel is autobiographical discussion of love, virginity, and marriage with a group of Iranian women over an afternoon tea. 

Where I found the book: Boston Public Library - Mattapan Branch

Why you should read it:
I first fell in love with Satrapi's illustration and story after reading Persepolis. Like Persepolis this book focuses on understanding the plight of women living in Iran and the lengths they will go to live up to Iranian femininity and piety. The novel is incredibly candid- Satrapi holds nothing back. Some of the stories told over tea are horrifying- others hilarious. If you come from a family with a bunch of crazy aunts- you'll feel right at home in Embroideries. If not, you are certain to learn amazing stories about Iranian marriage culture.


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Title: Luna

Author:
Julie Anne Peters

One Sentence Summary:
Luna (formerly Liam) is a Transgender teen who hopes to emerge as a girl with the help of his sister- but she's not sure how she'll be received.  

Where I found the book: Wakefield High School - Gov. Volpe Library

Why you should read it:
This is a touching story about sibling love and love for one's parents. The lives of transgender teens are often difficult and many LGBTQI teens suffer in silence. While this book is not perfect, nor an all encompassing portrayal of how to be a respectful ally, it is groundbreaking as young adult literature.

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  • Home
    • About our Library
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