"Mau Loa Hawai'i" (Forever Hawai'i)

Kahakauwila

A couple of months ago I moderated a book discussion about Sarah Vowell's book Unfamiliar Fishes.  It was an interesting read about Hawaiian history--before it became a U. S. state. Then last week a book of short stories arrived here at the library by a new and talented native Hawaiian author, Kristiana Kahakauwila.  Hmmm--I saw a theme forming.  So, here are some great titles about Hawaii and by Hawaiian authors.

Alan Brennert
--not a native but he has written two novels about Hawaii, Honolulu and Molokai. His newest book Palisades Park--came out this year.

James Jones
--his 1952 National Book Award winning From Here to Eternity has been made into a classic movie, a miniseries, and a TV series.

James Michener
--this Pulitzer Prize winning author's novel Hawaii was made into a 1966 film.

Deborah Turrell Atkinson
--she writes the Storm Kayama mystery series: Primitive Secrets, The Green Room, Fire Prayer, and Pleasing the Dead. A Hawaii resident for over 30 years, she lives in Honolulu with her family.

Kiana Davenport
--she was born in Honolulu, is of part Hawaiian ancestry, and the author of Song of Exile.

Allegra Goodman
--she was raised in Honolulu and graduated from Punahou School in 1985.  Paradise Park.

Kaui Hart Hemmings
--she was born and raised in Hawaii and her novel The Descendants was made into an 2011 Oscar winning movie.

Kristiana Kahakauwila
--she is a native Hawaiian and is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Western Washington University.  This Is Paradise is her first book.

Chris McKinney
--he was born in Honolulu and grew up in Kahaluu on the island of Oahu.  Queen of Tears and The Tattoo.
 
Tara Bray Smith
--she was born and raised in Hawaii and her book West of Then: A Mother, A Daughter, and a Journey Past Paradise is available from SEO.


Lois-Ann Yamanaka

--she is a Japanese-American author who was born in Ho'olehua, Moloka'i, Hawai'i.  Her many novels are available through SEO.


"Hawaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace."
                                                        Paul Theroux

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is possibly known to many readers as the writer chosen to finish the prodigious Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan. However, a read through The Way of Kings, the first of his Stormlight Archive series, demonstrates Sanderson's command of the genre.

In true High fantasy form, Sanderson has created Roshar, a harsh world, wracked by intense storms that have caused a unique, hard-shelled ecology. Cities and civilization are only where the landscape offers protection.

There are dozens of secondary characters but only a few that the story revolves around. There is Kaladin, the soldier/surgeon, made a slave for the one he didn’t kill. The assassin in white, Szeth, unstoppable, bound to his task, and weeping with every death. Dalinar Kholin the Highprince warrior whose honor and battle-weariness make him a target. And Shallan Davar, the thief and scholar with the artistic hand.

Much of this may sound like conventional fantasy, with some epic battle against a seemingly unstoppable evil right around the corner. Sanderson also blurs that virtuous and evil, that good and the bad line that seems so clear cut in so many fantasy tales, to include those of Tolkien himself. His distortion of this archetypal model makes the characters, despite their fantastical situations, much more relatable and believable.

Weighing in at just over 1000 pages Kings may seem daunting but one has to keep in mind that Sanderson is not only creating an entire world, complete with its own civilizations and ecologies, but also is placing four incredibly rich stories, each with their own context and background. Few storytellers can spin such a fantastic tale, much less do so in a way that does not flood the reader with details. Sanderson reveals himself a master at his craft as he carefully reveals the layers of his world, his characters, and their flaws and triumphs. For those that are fans of fantasy, The Way of Kingsis a must read.

The Shining Girls

Imagine yourself as a child playing outdoors when a stranger approaches, a man who limps toward you and offers you a prize from the pocket of his sports coat: a plastic pony with yellow hair, something a little girl would love. And even though your parents have taught you better, you accept it, because what little kid doesn't like getting a prize? Then, as the man turns to leave, he says something rather odd: Now keep this safe, alright? I'll see you when you're all grown-up. Look out for me, okay sweetheart? I'll come back for you. 

Grownups are weird, aren't they?

But weird doesn't begin to describe this particular grownup. Try dangerous. Try murderer. No, you don't know this, nor do you realize that in accepting this man's gift, you've just been marked. Years from now, when you're a grown woman and that long-forgotten stranger comes back for you--because it's really you he wants--you'd better run. Nothing gets the blood flowing like a little chase before the kill. After all, when your killer can hop through time as easily as walking through a door, your fate's already sealed.  

This is what awaits you, dear reader, in the pages of Lauren Beukes's mind-bending thriller, The Shining Girls. When a sociopath named Harper Curtis stumbles upon the find of the century in Depression-era Chicago--a house that allows him to travel through time--he begins a savage and impossible killing spree that spans decades. Like most serial killers, he prefers a certain type of victim: girls who shine, young women full of life and potential. But one of them, a spunky girl named Kirby Mazrachi, escapes death and is determined to identify her attacker and bring him to justice--just as he is determined to correct his mistake and snuff out her light once and for all.

Stranded

Alex Kava's thriller, Stranded takes us to a place many Americans have been, the highway rest stop. This is the place you stop when the road has gotten too long and you are a little weary. Perhaps you are almost home; you just need to make one more stop, get another jolt of caffeine and you can sleep in your bed in an hour or two. There's nothing too scary about a rest stop, well sometimes they are not very clean and if you are alone and it's dark you may hurry into the building and race back to your car. It's not that the rest area is not safe; but it can be just a little scary.

Alex Kava plays on that fear. What happens if the rest stop is not a safe haven? What happens when you stop and a stranger needs help? After you decide to help you realize you should never have rolled down your window. It's then you realize you have made the biggest mistake of your life. You are stranded and you don't have a prayer of a chance. 

In Stranded a cunning serial killer preys on unsuspecting travelers and forces them into a game of life or death. He naturally stacks the deck in his favor and no matter what choice they make they are bound to lose. While dumping a body he becomes fascinated by FBI Agent Maggie O'Dell and deems her to be a worthy adversary. Thus begins the game, only Maggie does not realize she is playing right into his hand.

This is the first Maggie O'Dell story I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters; their backstories and interaction together.  It is a wonderful story for the beach and daylight reading. I am not sure I would recommend it for reading as you drive to your next destination but if you do and have to stop at a rest area, lock your doors and don't talk to strangers.

Ahh, young love...

Over the past few years I have worked to expand my YA knowledge so I can better assist patrons and better understand what my daughter is currently reading. Not to mention, YA books are awesome! I came across a review a few months back about Rainbow Rowell’s latest release, Eleanor & Park, and I knew it was a must read. Anything that mentions punk rock and love is a must read.

The book takes place over the course of a single school year (really less) in 1986. The story is a love story, a coming-of-age tale, and a bit of a mystery all tied up in a lovely bow. The book captures the awkwardness of the teen years and first love, while also confronting some more serious issues like neglect, abuse, and the misery caused by high school bullies.

Eleanor and Park work hard to transcend the normal teen modus operandi by letting their hearts rule and their embarrassment take a backseat. Big, gangly Eleanor comes “home” after over a year of exile at a family acquaintance’s house to a sad domestic reality and a new school. On the bus she is forced into a seat with Park, half-Korean and quiet for purposes of survival. Park and Eleanor move around each other for weeks without speaking or interacting, but a common interest in comic books and song lyrics eventually pulls them together into a love that is both sweet and unprecedented.

Rowell does a very good job illustrating the survival techniques we all use to make it through a day or to deal with a particular situation. The agony and ecstasy of being a teenager is not lost in this story. Not to mention, her handling of family dynamics and what it means (and feels like) to go without is superb.  Eleanor learns that she is worthy of love. Park learns that he must be open to learning about a person beyond their clothing, hair, or possessions. Also, have your Walkman ready, because you will be inspired to revisit some bands.

Hunger Games Read-alikes Part 2--Good Teen Reads!

About a week ago, I wrote a blog about adult titles that are similar to The Hunger Games and other post-apocalyptic books.  The response was fantastic, so I didn't want to miss this chance to introduce you to some wonderful teen titles as well.

Drought by Pam Bachorz
Ruby dreams of escaping the Congregation, but without her blood her community is condemned to certain death.

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
Three teens join forces after an electromagnetic pulse kills most of the world's population, turning some of the survivors into zombies.

Taken by Erin Bowman
In the mysterious town of Claysoot, every male is mysteriously "Heisted" on his eighteenth birthday. 17-year-old Gray Weatherby is determined to find out why.

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
16-year-old Cia Vale is chosen to participate in The Testing to attend the University. However, she is fearful when she discovers that those who failed--are disappearing.

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
After being interrogated for days after a major terrorist attack, Marcus uses his computer hacking skills to set things right.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
In a future where the Population Police limit families to only two children, Luke has lived all of his twelve years in hiding and isolation.

The Line by Teri Hall
The Line is an invisible border of the United States.  When Rachel has an opportunity to Cross into the forbidden zone, she is both frightened and intrigued.

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch
15-year-old Stephen, his father, and grandfather scavenge in post-Collapse America.  When tragedy strikes, Stephen's life is turned upside down.

The Unidentified by Rae Mariz
In a futuristic alternative school, Katey "Kid" Dade struggles to figure out where she fits in or even if she wants to.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Lena looks forward to receiving the cure that prevents the delirium of love. Then ninety-five days before treatment she falls in love.

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
In her journal, 16-year-old Miranda describes her family's struggle to survive after a meteor hits the moon.

Variant by Robison Wells
After years in foster homes, 17-year-old Benson Fisher applies to Maxfield Academy in hopes of securing a brighter future.  What he discovers is that the school is a prison and no one is who they seem.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Tally is about to turn 16 and get the operation that makes her "pretty".  Her friend Shay doesn't want the operation and runs away. And Tally learns a whole new side of the pretty world--and it isn't very pretty.

Some staff favorites:

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
16-year-old Thomas wakes with no memory and in the middle of a maze. How will he escape?

Gone by Michael Grant
In a small town, everyone over the age of fourteen suddenly disappears, setting up a battle between the remaining groups of young people.

Legend by Marie Lu
In a dark future where North America has split into two warring nations, two 15-year-olds--one a famous criminal and the other a prodigy soldier, discover they have a common enemy.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
"In a world of danger, an unlikely alliance."  "Outsider" Perry rescues Pod-dweller Aria in this dystopian tale about an ecological collapse.

Divergent by Veronica Roth
In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice must choose one of five factions to define her identity. A choice made more difficult when she discovers she doesn't fit into any one group.

The 5th Wave by Richard Yancey
Cassie Sullivan, the survivor of an alien invasion, must rescue her young brother with the help of a boy who may be one of "them".

Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Saba and her family scavenge the dried up wastelands of Silverlake.  When her twin Lugh is kidnapped, Saba embarks on a dangerous quest to get him back.

What is your favorite?  Let me know if you can add any to the list.
 

Summer 2013: Feed Your Travel Bug

Summer 2013: Feed Your Travel Bug

I have been noticing a growing number of people asking for travel diaries, travelogues, and in general books about going places. Now apparently Dewey did not see fit to include a travelogue section when created his decimal system. So in an effort to meet the needs of our patrons, I have composed a top 15 list of travel books.

Cockpit confidential : Everything you Need to Know About Air Travel : Questions, Answers, & Reflections by Patrick Smith

Adrift : Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea by Steven Callahan

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig.

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail / Bill Bryson

Walden on Wheels: On the Open Road from Debt to Freedom by Ken Ilgunas.

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard.

The Last Train to Zona Verde: My Ultimate African Safari by Paul Theroux

The Best American travel writing.

Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck

Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time by Mark Adams

Italian Ways: On and Off the Rails from Milan to Palermo by Tim Parks

Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan

The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious and Perplexing City by David Lebovitz

The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific by J. Maarten Troost.