I agree 100% with April (currently known as “Ms. Vodka Tonic”) about Girls Poker Night. I laughed at loud at much of the story because it was quite hysterical, but there was also a deeper and more serious message about how hard it is to quit the “self-preservation” thing and take some risks.

Please read Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. I applaud my two coworkers for shoving this book down my throat. They were right about it being a science fiction book for those who don’t really like the science fiction genre. It’s timely because it really makes you think about that age-old question….War, what is it good for? I’m serious here. Great surprise ending when the blobby space creature swallows the human’s space ship whole. No–I’m just kidding, that’s not how it ends. It actually ends when the alien called Razzo-Razzo accidentally swallows a laser sword and is able to purchase the Energizer Bunny with the money he makes as a giant reading lamp for all the compulsive readers in the world. ha ha Just kidding again.

Thanks to my fellow Hip Librarians for recommending The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. I fell in love with it from page one, read it in two days and just handed it to one of my favorite 9 year old patrons. I’m now eagerly awaiting her review. I’m sure it will be a winner! I agree with April about the hopeful ending. After I finished the book I couldn’t stop thinking about what the characters would name all of the things that they didn’t have names for.