BookNotes// vol.1
The inaugural monthly newsletter rounding up the latest book buzz, librarian recs, and news beyond the pages.
Happy first issue of BookNotes! I am excited to build a community where a shared love for young adult books take center stage. I have a little intro on the About page but wanted to expand a bit for this first issue.
I’m Kellie, a high school librarian who of course loves to talk about books. Contrary to popular belief, I do not spend my work days reading novels. Instead I teach across all content areas, working with students primarily on research and digital literacy skills. I love talk to students about what books they are reading, sharing my recommendations, and discovering some great stories.
If you’re reading this, please comment as my goal is to make this a community! I want to know what you’re reading, what YA books I need to add to my pile, and any other thoughts you have. The hope is that future issues will include a “Reader’s Corner” where I can include more than just my own thoughts!
Happy reading!
Book Buzz
The American Library Association released their 2024 book award winners! Here’s a nice round-up of all the winners.
Lunar New Year starts this Saturday, so it’s a perfect time to read the new Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang (released last month). We just got it in our library so I’m excited to grab it!
From the Librarian’s Desk
I’ve been working my way through some of the books for our school wide reading program (more on that to come). The spring’s event has a theme of “taking action”; all of the books I’ve read so far have been really powerful. Highly recommend the following:
A Map is Only One Story: Twenty writers on immigration, family and the meaning of home by Nicole Chung and Mensah Demary
A personal reading goal for myself this year to read more of the classics and I am starting with 1984 by George Orwell (which yes, I have never read). Even us avid readers need to work to stretch ourselves a bit!
To balance out my classics reading I have started The Brothers Hawthorne, the fourth book in Jennifer Lynne Barnes’ The Inheritance Games series. I love this series as it balances a quick paced modern YA story with a tone of old fashioned mystery to it.
Beyond the Pages
Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen is being adapted into a movie, Love in Taipei. It’s not out until August 10 (on Paramount+) so we have plenty of time to read it before!
Bookshelf Tees just released a new “Never Enough Books” tee that I think I must have for spring!
Thank you for reading, I hope you subscribe, and share with bookish friends!
image credit: @olharomaniuk, Canva
Hi Kellie, I'm so excited to follow along with your new newsletter-- it's right up my alley!! I'm waiting impatiently for hold on Lunar New Year Love Story to come in, and I also plan to read The Brothers Hawthorne soon too! I forgot about Loveboat, Taipei! I always wanted to read it and never got around to it. Adding that to my TBR now! :)