…because I’m about to change my own old vote, actually. Who says you can only vote once?
Well, today is my last day here before I turn the reins over to Maddie for good. And I have to admit that, though of course working with you all is just swell and all, probably the thing I’ll REALLY SELFISHLY miss most about this job is this easy access to the New Books shelf I have, scooping up the Latest and Greatest before anybody else can get their hands on it! I’ve read a lot of terrific titles this year, but last night I finished a book that was SO GOOD I just had to get on here and recommend it to you specifically.
That book is Nation by Terry Pratchett.
It’s the story of the survivors of a tidal wave coming together to try to start again after everything they know is turned upside down. Mostly it is the story of Mau, who grew up on the island his people called The Nation, who’d been away on his trial of becoming a Man when the wave came and destroyed everyone he had ever known, who’s angry and numb and not sure who he is anymore; and the story of a girl from British nobility who prefers to be called Daphne (though that isn’t actually her name), who had her share of heartache even before becoming the sole survivor of the ship that crashed into the island during the wave (well, ALMOST sole, if you count the parrot). Their story is full of bits that will make you cry and bits that will make you laugh; it’s full of adventure and danger and discovery; it’s full of healing and rebirth. It is a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning pages, and then wishing there was more when you’re done.
I already was a big fan of Sir Terry Pratchett (he just got knighted a couple weeks ago because he’s that awesome!) for his hilarious fantasy satires in the Discworld series (which we have a lot of in both our regular and paperback YA sections AND in the adult fiction section– check them out, too). Nation is a different sort of book entirely, but one you will never forget.
I put this book on the shelf in the Teen Room with the rest of the great new books on display in the corner, waiting for you to come and check out their awesomeness. Come in and take a look at it and the rest of the books there, and don’t forget to vote for YOUR new favorite!
I’ll see you around after I become part of the crowd fighting to check out all the great new books like a normal person….
————amy
TEEN EDGE: Connecting Teens to the Peters Twp Public Library 