Steelheart is our winner!

Congratulations to Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson which was our Top Novel winner this year!

If you haven't read it, it's a really intense sci-fi thriller that has some similarities to superhero stories but this time the ones with the powers are the enemy. I loved it and all the twists and turns the plot had. I would definitely recommend it!

Summer Reading Update!

I've been doing more reading over the summer and I'm done my badge! Just in time too. We only have one more week to collect prizes.

I read SIX more books! (Links go to the print book versions, though I read most of these in ebook).

 Quickly, some one-sentence reviews! Stolen is intense and interesting. Isla and the Happily Ever After is a perfect rom com. The Reluctant Assassin wasn't my favourite Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl still has my heart). The Boy on Cinnamon Street was a sweet coming of age. The Half-Life of Molly Pierce was an interesting look at mental health. The Here and Now was one of my favourite dystopian time travel things that I've read in a while. Phenomenal.

I also voted in Top Novel which is a contest so I'm all done! YAY!

How are you guys doing? We still have lots of prizes out at the branch.

One more day to vote on Top Novel! Make it happen! 

Top Novel - final!

We are down to our top two novels!!

 vs 

Can't believe we're down to our last two books!! You will have TWO WEEKS to vote and we will announce our winner Friday August 22! 

VOTE HERE! 

Goodbye Eye of Minds!

What?! James Dashner gone? You guys are breaking my heart! Kidding (I would be heartbroken no matter what at this point).

Steelheart had 40.5% of the votes! Will it win it all? Or can Panic overcome it? It's up to you!

You can vote for the top three here.

Still winning at Summer Reading

Even though I've done a LOT on my badge, I still feel really behind because you guys are doing AMAZING.

I had someone come in on the weekend who was almost done!

But I'm not going to focus on that, I'm going to focus on ME! Here's what I did last week:

Two more tabs! Yay! I read three books:

I loved all of them (I like it when that happens). 

I also attended a program: Master Builders at Stoney Creek (okay, I ran the program but I got to help build too. It was super fun). 

It looks like I really need to get reading for two more prizes and of course, enter a contest (voting in Top Novel counts as a contest!!). 

Hope your Summer Reading is going swimmingly! 

Goodbye Sea of Shadows!

Shocked that Kelley Armstrong has been voted off! I actually really liked that book, but it took a little while to get going. If you gave up on it, go back and read it! It gets really good!

Here's the break down of this week's votes:

We're down to four contenders left! When I closed the poll, Panic and Steelheart were TIED for the first! Who will it be?

You can vote HERE!

Reviews!

    "Very good because it is fast paced. Full of good stuff."

I'm loving the bite-sized reviews you guys are posting to the reading tracker so far. Here are just a few! (Click the covers to check them out)

 "Historic,interesting and imaginative"

"This book is the best book in the world. It has great morals to it and lots of things to think about. In saying that the book is the only book that has made me cry and laugh. The page that got me the most was 270. I really liked it though it is probably my favorite book, now! Great Job John Green! Thank you."

"The book was artfully crafted by an amazing author! Ransom Riggs not only wrote an amazingly peculiar book but also illustrated in through the use of authentic vintage photos. This unique idea sets the backdrop of the story and helps us, the readers, better understand the nature of Miss Peregrine and her Peculiar Children."

"Really good book! Surprisingly one of my all time favourites!"

&

"Amazing Book. I would definitely recommend this book to others. Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson is competing for Hamiltons Next Top novel. I definitely want this book to win. It deserves it."

"Just as good as the first book! Can't wait to read the last book in the series!"

but also: "Eh okay not her best"

Read and decide for yourself :)






You can track your reading here!

Goodbye Geography of You & Me

Wow, super bummed about Geography of You and Me being voted off! I felt like it was a realistic look at how long distance relationships are a lot of work and don't always work out (and how sometimes, against all odds, they do).

We still have five books left though, so let's focus on the next five books!

Steelheart and Panic have been in the lead so far but I have a feeling that you're going to fall in love with These Broken Stars and it's going to shoot to the front! 

You can vote and place holds on the titles HERE (scroll down for voting). 

SRC! (or Kat pretends to get prizes).

So Summer Reading Club is full-steam ahead! Hopefully you've got your badge and are collecting your prizes.

This year I'm going to do it alongside you guys (only no prizes because I'm a grown up. Life is hard).

So in theory I would get a prize for registering (CHECK!) and a prize for showing staff a book I read (this morning I booktalked The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare to some colleagues. It's out in September and if you like Percy Jackson and Harry Potter you'll want to pick it up).  

Here's the advanced copy on my desk (be very jealous):

For my prize I would choose a shiny hardcover copy of...

                                                                            
Branches have different book prizes but Saltfleet had this book this morning and this was one of my favourites of last year.

These are just some of the book prizes that our branches may have! (I spy Percy Jackson...)

What have your prizes been so far?

If you want more information on Summer Reading Club and how YOU can win prizes (remember, it's open for kids 0-18!), click here.

Voting is LIVE!

You can now VOTE for the Top Novel titles!! Voting will be until next Friday and you can vote every hour if you choose to. Any early predictions?

VOTE HERE! 

Highlight: Eye of Minds by James Dashner

This book probably needs no introduction, but just in case...

First line: Michael spoke against the wind, to a girl named Tanya.

What's the deal: In the future, virtual reality games have really advanced to the point where whatever happens to you in the game happens to you in real life (ie. you eat in the game, your body gets nourished in real life). The only exception of course is death. If you die in the game you wake up in the real world. Or at least you do until a series of murders has police stumped. Michael and his two hacker friends are called in by the game company to figure out who is killing off gamers before it's too late.

Pick it up because:

• you loved Maze Runner
• fast-paced action 
• really makes you think

read it in: print | e-book | audiobook | e-audiobook

Highlight: These Broken Stars

You should definitely pick up These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman!

First line  paragraph: Nothing about this room is real. If this were a party at home, the music would draw your eye to human musicians in the corner. Candles and soft lamps would light the room, and the wooden tables would be made of actual trees. People would be listening to each other, instead of checking to see who's watching them.

What's the deal: Basically a rich girl collides with a military boy aboard a huge ship (think Titanic). When the ship inevitably crashes, they end up in an escape pod together and have to survive aboard the planet to which they crash. Only, they're not the only ones on the planet (dun dun dun!!!).

Pick it up because:

• snarky romance
• characters you'll love
• a great eery mystery type atmosphere

read it in: print | audiobook | e-audiobook

Highlight: Panic by Lauren Oliver

Today's Top Novel pick is Panic by Lauren Oliver!

First line: The water was so cold it took Heather's breath away as she fought past the kids crowding the beach and standing in the shallows, waving towels and handmade signs, cheering and calling up to the remaining jumpers. 

What's the deal: In a small town, teens pool money together as a sort of prize fund. To win the money ($50,000) you have to face your biggest fears and do crazy stuff. It's sort of like a real life Hunger Games but the stakes are just as high. 

Pick it up because:

• amazing writing
• intriguing plot twists 
• so. much. tension!!!

read it in print | audiobook | e-book | e-audio

read an excerpt here! 

Highlight: The Geography of You & Me by Jennifer E. Smith

Next Top Novel pick: The Geography of You & Me by Jennifer E. Smith

First line: On the first day of September the world went dark.


What's the deal: Lucy and Owen meet cute in an elevator in New York City during a black out. It's not love at first sight or anything but they have an undeniable connection. When Lucy finds out she's moving to London and Owen's family moves to California, they struggle to find ways to stay in touch. Can love conquer geography?


Pick it up because...

• real characters with real dialogue
• fun settings that make you feel like you're traveling
• swoony romance 

available in: print | e-book

(bonus: read the first couple chapters here!)

Highlight: Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Next Top Novel pick: Steelheart

First line: I've seen Steelheart bleed.

What's the deal: In the future, people acquire super powers. Of course with great power comes great responsibility and these people are not responsible! They are corrupt and kind of awful and end up taking over cities. A small group of humans team up to try and defeat them, but can they succeed without any powers?!

Pick it up because... 

• seriously cool futuristic Chicago setting (same city as Divergent is set in, FYI)
• action packed with an awesome car chase
• lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing

available in: print | audiobook | e-book 

Highlight: Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong

I'm going to talk a little about the Top Novel picks and why you should pick them up and give them a shot.

First up: Sea of Shadows

First line: After three days of tramping across endless lava fields, Ronan quickened his steps at the sight of the forest. 

What's the deal: Okay it takes place in a village in which there is a forest of the dead (!!!) outside. Two sisters are tasked with keeping the dead in the forest and making sure they move onto the after life and don't terrorize the village. One evening though something attacks the village and before the sisters know it they're separated. Their only hope is to make it to the emperor to warn him, only their quest will not be an easy one.

Pick it up because... 

• magic!
• scary monsters
• awesome sisters with cool powers

available in: print | audiobook | e-book

Open Road Summer List

Just finished Open Road Summer and it made me think of the other books I loved with road travel in them so have an impromptu road trip list! I haven't read ALL of them but the ones I have read I loved, especially the top row. Click to request them in.

So you like getting artsy...

If arts are your thing, we have lots going on at the library from drama to singing to crafts!

Show off your artsy talent at Barton's Talent show!
Barton Branch – Mon. Aug.22 2pm
Register at (905) 546-3450.

Learn to sing in harmony at Binbrook in their Young Divas Singing Workshop
Learn how to sing harmonies with April.
Binbrook Branch – Mon. Aug.22 10:30am
Register at (905) 692-3323. Ages 10+.

What about crafts, you say? Let me tell you!

Arm Knitting
Learn to arm knit a chunky scarf in 30
minutes!
Ages 12+.
Kenilworth Branch – Mon. Jul.8 2:30pm
Register at (905) 546-3960.

Be a DIY Fashionista!
Turn a colourful men’s tie into your very own clutch! Bring your own tie.
Kenilworth Branch – Mon. Jul.22 4pm
Register at (905) 546-3960. Ages 12+.

Is writing more your thing? We've got you covered!

Power of the Pen Writing Workshop
Want to improve your writing skills and submit a winning Power of the Pen entry by August 31? Join us for these free writing workshops. Ages 12-18
Red Hill Branch – Tues. Jul.9, 16, 23 & Tues. Aug.6 & 27 2pm
Register at (905) 546-2069.
Stoney Creek Branch – Wed. Aug.21 2pm
Register at (905) 643-2912.

Mike’s Open Mike: Teen Poetry
Poet Mike Algera reads & discusses his work. He will offer his 10 Cardinal Rules of Poetry and give you a chance to read out your own poems. Ages 12-18.
Central Library, Hamilton Room –Sat. Jul.27 2pm

Creative Writing Series @ Central Library 
Tues. Jul.2 2pm – Getting Started
Tues. Jul.16 2pm – Planning & Plotting
Tues. Jul.30 2pm – Credible Characters
Tues. Aug.13 2pm - Final Editing
Sat. Aug.17 2pm – Introduction to Journaling
All programs are at Central Library in the Hamilton Room.
Register by calling (905) 546-3200 or in person at the 2nd Floor Information Desk.
Spaces are limited. Ages 12-18.

You can find ALL of our awesome teen programs on our teen flyer here!

Awesome contests this summer!

The summer has kicked off in a BIG WAY! If you're wondering why there hasn't been more blog activity, I have to admit I've been busy registering all of you for Summer Reading! We have 4585 kids and teens registered as of this minute and that number is growing!

One of the tabs on your badge when you register for Summer Reading is to complete a contest entry. We have lots of awesome contests for teens, such as...

Power of the Pen

• write a poem or short story under 2500 words
• for ages 12-18
• chance to win an iPad or $100
• due August 31
• details here

Photography contests

• take an original photo 
• for ages 11 and up
• Different branches have different rules - it's running at Ancaster, Carlisle, Freelton, Lynden, Milgrove, Waterdown, Saltfleet and Terryberry.
• due dates also differ
• details here (pdf)

Cell Phone Film Festival

• use your cell phone, tablet or camera to shoot a short movie 
• for ages 12 and up
• Pick up a contest entry form at Kenilworth library for details 

Postcard Fiction Contest

• write original fiction 
• 250 words or less
• for ages 12-18
• due August 31
• details here

Crazy week!

Sorry about the lack of posting this week! It has been a little bit crazy but in a good way!

I have the draw winner from last week's reviews... it is...

Alainna from Terryberry! Alainna has won the mythology pack which is funny considering her review was for a mythology book - Goddess Interrupted! I didn't even plan that, I swear! She has also won another Hammer City Roller Girls pack! Hurrah!

Congratulations, Alainna! I've sent you an e-mail letting you know :)

We still have 4 more prize packs to give away, so keep those reviews coming. I'm going to post a bunch of the fab reviews I've received today!