Hi Pageturn readers,
Just like most professional book pushers, whenever I travel to a new locale, the first place I visit is the public library. For most librarians, it’s almost like a homing device: “Must. See. Stacks.” So when my husband and I visited relatives in Gothenburg, Sweden this summer, I made a beeline straight to the Gothenburg Public Library. And I’m so glad I did, because it was an absolute inspiration to see the dazzling space allotted to kids and teens. Here I am in the entrance to the youth area. I was seriously digging that cool blue dragon sign. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t let me bring it home with me. Shoot. It would have looked so good in our picture book room!
It was also very fun to get to see some of my favorite titles in Swedish. I got such a kick out of seeing “The Deluxe” series on the shelves in the youth area. Apparently the title gets an extra syllable in Swedish!
But the piece de resistance had to be the teen room downstairs. Filled with cozy couches, colorful paperbacks (including many adult titles) and entire wall of gaming devices and screens, this was a teenage dream that even Katy Perry would approve of. The full wall of windows opened out into a pretty green courtyard, where teens could go to mingle or chat on their cells.
Here’s the stage (for open mic events) and gaming area. Teens can check out gaming consoles and devices for use in the teen area just
like books. I was super impressed with how much room was provided for teens for digital recreation, a clear indication that this library values their teen patrons and understands their importance to the library’s future success. During a time when public library, and especially teen services, are being cut all over the United States, it was both thrilling and sad to see such a wonderful space being offered to teens that was so respectful of their needs and sensibilities.
On a practical note, I was also geeked out by the beautifully designed library shelving carts. “Gorgeous” isn’t usually a word you use
to describe a book truck, but doesn’t it fit this one perfectly? This is one of the ways you know you are a born librarian—when you get wistful over well-designed library accessories.
By: Jennie,
on 5/23/2011
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: YA, Fiction, historical fiction, Anna Godbersen, Add a tag
In the summer of 1929, Cordelia Grey gets married in rural Ohio and skips town that very night with her best friend, Letty. They're destined for the glitz and glamor of New York City. Cordelia's convinced that the famous bootlegger Darius Grey is actually her father. Letty's convinced she has a spot on the stage. Already in New York is Astrid--girlfriend of Darius's son, Charlie and daughter to a socialite mother who's about to ruin her third marriage.
The cast is much smaller than The Luxe, and I kinda miss the large number of characters, but it has that same gossipy, history soaked drama charm. All of the characters are, to some degree, on the shady side of respectable (or at least end up there). I loved the time period and how well Godbersen immerses you in the 1929 New York, but... it doesn't have the the same drive (? maybe? is that the word I'm looking for?) as The Luxe. I enjoyed it and can't wait until the next one, but it wasn't as compelling as The Luxe and I didn't love love love love it in the same way.
Book Provided by... my local library
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By: Jennie,
on 1/20/2010
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: YA, Fiction, historical fiction, Anna Godbersen, Luxe, Add a tag
WARNING! This is the 4th (and last) book in a series. While there are not spoilers for this book, there are spoilers for previous books in the series! 'Tis the nature of the beast.
Can it be possible that the final book in the fantastically wicked Luxe series is the best yet? Yes, yes it can.
Diana's a bar girl in Havana, looking for Henry. Penelope is reentering society. Elizabeth is happy that being pregnant allows her to stay away from society. Henry has sunk into a well of self-loathing...
But we haven't even begun to see the scandals that are about to erupt as much loved and much reviled characters come to their conclusions. Some get happy endings and some get what they deserve, some both and some neither.
One thing's for certain though-- Godbersen saved the juiciest bits for last. This is a book that will make you late for work, because you will not be able to put it down.
This is also my first review for the Year of the Historical Challenge. Hi people finding my blog and this review that way! This review is light on the details because it is a series book and I can't give too much away without ruining it all. In general there, The Luxe is like Gossip Girl set in 1899. It's the rich and powerful and young and beautiful in New York at the turn of the century and all the mischief they get into wearing really pretty dresses. I love it.
Book Provided by... my local library
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
4 Comments on Year of the Historical: Splendid End, last added: 1/21/2010
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By: Jennie,
on 9/9/2009
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: YA, Fiction, historical fiction, Anna Godbersen, Luxe, Add a tag
Well, here are two mini-reviews for your enjoyment.
This follow up to Luxe certainly doesn't disappoint. Caroline continues her social climbing. Penelope doesn't understand why Henry won't look at her, now that Elizabeth is out the picture. Diana must carry all of her mother's hopes. Meanwhile, Rumors are flying everywhere about every thing and every believes what they read about themselves in the papers and acts accordingly...
Did you like the guilty pleasure decadence of the first one? Good. You'll like this. Everything I said about the first one holds true for this one as well.
Everyone's off to Florida for a winter holiday as Penelope tries harder and harder to keep Henry in her clutches and he pulls further and further away. Liz has to deal with some, uh, consequences of her relationship with Will. And Carolina's position teeters further...
This one didn't hold quite the same magic as the first two. Maybe it's because the word "clavicle" keeps occurring. ALL THE TIME. Every dress shows off or covers someone's clavicles. Men are entranced at the sight of a pair of stately clavicles. Really? CLAVICLES?! It got annoying.
But, that won't stop me from looking forward to the October 27 release of Splendor!
2 Comments on The Luxe parts 2 and 3, last added: 9/9/2009
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By: Jennie,
on 7/21/2009
Blog: Biblio File (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Fiction, historical fiction, YA, Anna Godbersen, Sarah MacLean, Add a tag
Alex and her friends are not overly excited about the prospect of their first season. Sure, they are beautiful and come from excellent families but they aren't the type of girls who are delicate flowers, waiting to be courted by boring men old enough to be their fathers. Alex's brothers didn't have to get married at 17, so why should she?
Add in a mystery of a murdered Earl, and the boy (well, Earl) next store suddenly becoming more than your brothers' good friend, maybe.
The Season has headstrong girls who are still believable in their time periods. And! When things get really bad they ASK ADULTS FOR HELP! Not only headstrong, but actually SMART! Plus, there's a your rake/rogue boy, but Alex can handle him without issue. So refreshing. This is a definite favorite.
I've referred to this as Historic Gossip Girl. There are the lies, the back-stabbing, the romance, the society, the clothes, and the parties, and the indecorous behavior, just all happening in New York in 1899 instead of 2005.
Like Gossip Girl, you have a book decadent and scandalous enough to be the perfect beach read, but layered enough and long enough that it's something you can actually sink your teeth into. The action follows multiple characters, and chapters start with and are studded with newspaper articles, book excerpts, and letters. The type of book that is actually challenging reading, but with a plot exciting enough that you don't notice how hard it is.
Unlike Gossip Girl, you have characters you actually like and when you root for them, you don't need to feel bad about it. The characters in The Luxe create plenty of their own drama, but enough also comes from the outside, things they can't control to make the characters not nearly as annoying.
Love.
1 Comments on Rich Girls from Olden Days, last added: 7/24/2009
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Ahhh, I loved this series. :)
Wow, this it out now? I didn't realize. As I've gone through the series, I like the books less so I'm in a tough place. I want to get to the end of the series, but I don't know if I'll actually enjoy it.
I'm going to cave, aren't I?
Gossip Girl set in 1899 actually sounds more appealing somehow... :) I guess I'll have to at least try one out, even though I tend to avoid series fiction! It just sounds like too much of a fun guilty pleasure.
Love this series. I cannot wait to see what Godbersen writes next.