Top Ten Tuesday: Ways My Reading Habits Have Changed Over Time

Written by Anna M.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been an avid reader. Both my parents are avid readers, and my mom basically raised me in the library. Nevertheless, as I have grown through the human experience, my reading habits have changed almost as much as I have. 

1. Allowing myself to have DNFs. The reality is there are billions of books in the world, and millions more are being written. No one is going to be able to read every book, and our time is incredibly valuable. Do not waste your time on a book that simply is not good (obviously a subjective but still very valid opinion). Not all books are created equal, and not every book is going to be your cup of tea. I’ve learned that that is completely okay. Don’t be in a toxic relationship with the book you’re reading!

2. Number two goes hand in hand with number one: Allowing myself to not read. Reading slumps are real and that does not make you a book hater. Some days your brain needs the TV adaptation. 

3. Opening my mind to let myself be changed by the stories of life. You don’t have to agree with the author or the character. Regardless of who you are or what you believe, reading will make you a better person if you think critically and embrace openness. 

4. Reading nonfiction. It can be fun too! I used to be a stickler for fiction. After all, how is Atomic Habits going to compete with the adventures of Harry Potter, Lane McEvoy, or Christy Miller? I would make fun of my dad for reading so much nonfiction. However, the older I get, the more I see the value in reading nonfiction. It’s not for everyone, but there’s so much real-world information waiting at our fingertips.

5. Audiobooks are books too! I will always prefer to hold in my hands a hard copy of a novel, to grasp the pages between my fingers and feel the pattern of the words. Nevertheless, sometimes there is not enough time in the day, and your reading should not have to suffer. Audiobooks are great on a walk, on a run, or on a drive. You can listen to them while cooking or cleaning or both. They are such an accessible way to read, and the opportunity they give readers are endless.

6. Re-reading is still reading! While I love finding new stories and characters, often the best way to get out of a slump is to re-read a favorite. There are novels I regularly go back to because they genuinely make my day better. The re-reads should be treasured and celebrated. 

7. Fall in love with the classics. They have stood the test of time for a reason. Whether you are forced to read them in school or are not allowed to read them in school, read these books. Don’t Sparknotes them!  

8. Spoilers still are NOT allowed. Regardless of how I change as a reader and how my habits change, it will never be okay to spoil a good book. Don’t fix what isn’t broken. This rule is never going to change.

9. Reading with others and finding fellow booklovers. For one’s reading journey, this is so important for growth: Having people in your life that will encourage you in your reading and geek out about your favorite novels with you. Finding a book club or community (Shoutout to my amazing Teen Book Guild) is vital to one’s success as a reader. Don’t surround yourself with people who hate books and reading! In my experience, they almost always discourage one’s pursuit of reading. It’s a cautioning tale I could tell time and time again, but the moral of the story is simple. Find a solid community that supports your love for stories and motivates you to pursue your goals.

10. Habit two, Part two: It’s okay to not read. I love stories and the ways novels tell them. I will always love to read. Still, it is important to recognize life’s various seasons. Some days you will binge read book after book; other days you might not even make it through one whole chapter. Like any other healthy relationship, my relationship with reading is not the same as it was when I was just beginning to read at four or when I lived for novels in my early teens not should it be. It’s okay to put a book down and finish it later – and later looks different for all types of people. Allowing oneself grace to grow is the more significant action one can take. I am still a lifelong reader even on the days I don’t read, and I am so thankful that no matter where I am in life, there is always a good book by my side to make my life even better. 

In conclusion, there are probably even more ways my reading habits have changed and will continue to change. Nevertheless, the most important thing will always remain constant: my love of reading and my gratefulness that I am surrounded by people who celebrate storytelling.

5 Questions With...Mazey Eddings!

Written by Luke M.
Grade 12

Welcome to another addition of 5 questions with…, where teen library volunteers get to interview their favorite YA authors and ask them 5 questions about their books, careers, or even both. Today I had the privilege of speaking with Mazey Eddings. While she mostly writes adult literature, she made her mark in the YA market last year with Tilly in Technicolor, a story about two neurodivergent teens who form a connection with each other over a chaotic summer.

Q: When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in writing?

I came about it in a roundabout way, I think. As an undiagnosed autistic and ADHD only child of divorced parents, I spent a lot of time on my own. Social interactions didn’t come naturally to me, and I was always left feeling like I was looking through a window at my peers as they forged friendships and I sort of just… didn’t fit. But my greatest solace and source of relationships came from reading. I read everything I could get my hands on, and every book was this portal into understanding human nature better, safely going on adventures, and finding connections with characters. My love of reading really put authors on a pedestal for me, and writing a book was kind of unfathomable in my mind. I did take a lot of creative writing classes in middle school and high school, and I was even in this club called Power of the Pen where we would travel to different high schools and participate in writing competitions (essentially like a sports team for writing nerds lol). But, like I said, the idea of having an actual career as a writer seemed outside of my realm of possibilities, so I pursued a degree in my other love— science. I then went on to dental school where I had a bit of a quarter life crisis and was desperate for a creative escape to deal with the stress of my program. I rediscovered my love of reading and, for the first time in a long time, I started writing again. And I realized I couldn’t stop. I completed my first full length novel, A Brush with Love, while in school and was so in love with the characters and story, I decided to pursue publishing it because I had nothing to lose by trying. Eventually, the right people said yes to my work, and I now get to call myself an author and I still pinch myself that I’m so lucky.

Q: What inspired you to write Tilly in Technicolor?

My first three books were adult fiction, but my editor works on both adult and YA books, and she asked me if I’d be interested in writing a YA novel with an ADHD protagonist. My immediate answer was “YES AND HERE ARE ALL MY IDEAS FOR IT!!” I originally imagined the story to be singularly Tilly’s, a coming of age novel that normalized the fear and anxiety that comes with that transition from teenager to being technically an adult and not knowing what you want to do with your life. I think there’s so much unfair pressure on young people to know exactly what they want to do and have an iron-clad plan on how to get there that we end up stressing them out during their teen years when they should be experiencing adolescence and learning who they are first before they have to decide what they want to be. I also intended the novel to be more focused on Tilly’s relationship with her sister, Mona. While the latter is definitely a subplot of the book, when I started writing Tilly, Oliver popped up on the page and refused to leave. He was such a surprise to me in the best way, and his love of colors and color theory as a way to navigate and understand the world felt so special to me. The novel ended up being about how to honor who you are, discover what you want from the world, and take time to enjoy life exactly where you are in it instead of rushing to have it all figured out. And, obviously, finding people you love and that love you along the way.

Q: Were Tilly and/or Oliver based on people in your life?

Tilly and Oliver are uniquely themselves, as are all of my characters. They ended up being two people I would have loved to be friends with in high school. They’re different, they’re oddballs, and they’re so unapologetically themselves; I know I would have been so drawn to them as friends in high school (and now!)

Q: If you had the opportunity to adapt Tilly in Technicolor into a film, who would you want to work with (directors, actors, etc.)?

Oh gosh, could you imagine?! Let’s collectively manifest that haha! I would love to see Tilly as a movie, I think the visual play with colors and the various settings could be so amazing to see on a screen, and I’d also just love to see autistic/ADHD teens portrayed in a happy, feel good rom-com that highlights their neurodivergence as beautiful aspects of their being. If I could have my pick of directors, I think I’d have to go with Greta Gerwig as the director. Everything she touches turns to gold, and I feel like she’s so intentional and thoughtful in the choices she makes in representing source material for the big screen. I’d trust her fully to show Tilly and Ollie in a way that’s celebratory and dynamic and honors their uniqueness. I also feel like it would be important and awesome to cast neurodivergent actors for the roles to really get authenticity in the portrayal!

Q: As a neurodiverse author yourself, do you think the future is bright for neurodiverse voices?

Yes! The future feels very bright. I see more and more neurodivergent stories popping up in fiction and getting the attention they deserve! I think part of this is due to more people feeling empowered to claim their diagnosis and speak on it—the good, the bad, and the beautiful—in a way that others can relate to and feel seen. It’s such an exciting time for neurodiverse representation in all forms of media, and I encourage everyone to share their stories however feels best!

Thank you to Mazey Eddings for giving very thoughtful responses to my five questions. Check out Tilly in Technicolor at the Winter Park Library today!

5 Questions With...Hamish Steele!

written by Luke M.
Grade 12

Welcome to another addition of 5 questions with…, where Teen Book Guilders connect with their favorite YA authors and ask them 5 questions about their books, careers, or even both. Today, I had the privilege of speaking with Hamish Steele, a London-based animator and writer best known for the Deadendia graphic novels, which have been adapted into the Netflix cartoon Dead End: Paranormal Park.

Q: Your website claims that you're an Animation Director, Comic-Book Creator and TV Writer. Which of these do you enjoy the most?

A: I love writing for TV but getting that kinda work is much harder. I wish I could do it more but I suppose by default comic-book creating is where I feel most at home. It's how most of my stories begin.

Q: What inspired you to create the Deadendia series?

A: DeadEndia began as an animated short on the Cartoon Hangover YouTube channel and while I always hoped it would go to series, it really did begin as a pretty self contained thing. But I just kept thinking about it and thinking about it and somehow everything I wanted to do with a comic book (supernatural stuff, queer representation, time travel, magic, teen drama) all felt like it had a place in this series. I really came up with DeadEndia as I went along, slowly expanding what was possible with this world with every page. I was inspired a lot by how free and anarchic psychedelic horror movies of the 70s and 80s were - stuff like House and Suspiria. So I felt very encouraged to let my imagination run wild.

Q: Do you see yourself in Norma, Barney, or any of the other characters in the series?

A: When I created the series, Barney was definitely who I saw myself more in. But I think Barney is who I wanted to be, and Norma what I really was. I wanted Norma to be relatable and at the time I hadn't received my autism diagnosis yet. Looking back, it's really obvious that that was the problems I was writing about through Norma. I really, really relate to her the most. But there's part of me in all the characters.

Q: The Deadendia series tackles a lot of sensitive issues, from sexuality to autism; is there anything that inspired you in real life to tackle these issues?

A: For all the demons and ghosts and stuff, DeadEndia is still meant to be set in the real world. And it's bizarre to not include real people in a real world setting. There's a lot of people who think the inclusion of a gay or trans person, or a person of color, is someone "forced diversity", as if there needs to be some story justification for that. But if you took any random street on Earth and made a show about all the people walking down it and you DIDN'T include those kinds of people, THAT would be forced. So it never really crossed my mind to include the kinds of people I hang out with in my stories. That's just how I see the world. And people come with baggage and it feels correct to write about it.

Q: What was it like adapting your books into the Netflix show Dead End: Paranormal Park?

A: Honestly, it was a blast. I feel so lucky. Truthfully, every day I feel lucky. How many people get this opportunity? The main thing I wanted to do with the show was allow it to be a collaborative experience. Making a comic book can be very solitary, so I was very excited to make Dead End with a team of writers and artists way more talented than myself. I really let them lead the way, only occasionally looking back to the books as a map if we got lost. I've written some things that if they were turned into movies or shows, I'd want a really faithful adaptation but for DeadEndia, it was already so anarchic, I encouraged us to not treat it with reverence.

Thank you to Hamish Steele! If you’re a fan of mystery and monsters, and want to support creative writers like Steele, check out the Deadendia books at the Winter Park Library and/or watch Dead End: Paranormal Park on Netflix.

 

Epic Reading Challenge: September

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month select TBG members choose a book that fits the challenge's theme. Provided by Epic Reads, these challenges inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate each month!

The prompt for September was… a book based on your favorite season!

Grace: The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther

Summer is my favorite season for many reasons, but the most important is that it allows me to spend more time than usual with my family. This warm-hearted, family-centered novel perfectly encapsulates the best part of the season of summer. The story follows Meredith Fox as she returns to her extended family’s summer vacation home for the first time after the death of her sister. Meredith gets caught up in a whirlwind of fun summer activities, including a plot-quickening game of Assassin. The best part of this book was simply the summery vibes that it gave, and the exciting summer games really enhanced the plot. Additionally, I thought that the main character seemed very genuine and rewarding to read about, and the romantic relationship between the two main characters was also very well done.

Lisa: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

If autumn could reach through a book's pages and give the reader a warm hug, it would choose this one to administer affection. Pumpkinheads perfectly captures the cozy, nostalgic essence of autumn. Set in a charming pumpkin patch, the story follows Deja and Josiah, two high school seniors working their final shift before heading off to college. 

With the crisp fall air, golden leaves, and the warmth of seasonal treats like pumpkin pie and caramel apples, the setting is steeped in the magic of autumn. As they embark on a sweet, humorous adventure through the pumpkin patch, the book evokes the feeling of those fleeting, memorable moments that define the season, reminding readers of the beauty in change, friendship, and the simple joys of fall.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Fall 2024 To-Read List

 written by Brooke K.

Unravel Me, Tahereh Mafi

I am excited to read Unravel Me since I recently read Shatter Me which is the 1st book in the series. 

 

Whisper, Lynette Noni

I want to read Whisper since the cover looks really interesting. 

 

Pumpkin, Julie Murphy

Pumpkin is my reading list since I enjoyed the movie [of the first book] so I want to read the book series as well. 

 

Monday’s Not Coming, Tiffany D. Jackson

I want to read this book since it has been challenged in other states and it is important to read books from all perspectives. 

 

First-year Orientation, Lauren Gibaldi & Eric Smith eds.

First-year Orientation relates to my life since I will be going to college soon. 

 

Scout's Honor, Lily Anderson 

Scout's Honor is on my list since it covers an important topic and seems like it will be a very interesting read. 

 

Heiress Takes All, Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka

I can’t wait to read Heiress Takes All since it covers a heist which will definitely keep my attention. 

Such Charming Liars, Karen McManus 

This book has multiple perspectives and is about crime so I am looking forward to reading it. 

 

Two Sides to Every Murder, Danielle Valentine 

I have recently been wanting to start reading thiller books so I figured that this book is a good place to start. 

 

Just One Day, Gayle Foreman 

The plot of this book is unlike one I have seen before so I figured that it will be a good read. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Provide a Much Needed Escape

Written by Grace H.

Welcome back to TBG’s Top Ten Tuesday! 

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday is a widespread trend in which book bloggers create a “Top Ten” list in response to a different topic each week.

This week’s theme is… Books that provide a much needed escape!!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi: even if I am escaping to a world scarier than my own, it’s still an entertaining setting to visit and read about!

American Royals by Katharine McGee: this carefully-crafted dystopian setting in which royals rule America is a fun and interesting read (and the new America is nothing like the one that we know!).

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir: this fast-paced fantasy series will whisk you away from the normal world and problems that come with it.

The Selection by Kiera Cass: while reading, you’ll be too busy worrying about America’s love triangle, that you will forget about all your own problems!

Every Day by David Levithan: this book switches perspectives multiple times, and you’ll never get bored as the narrator moves from body to body as a spirit.

As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson: the thrilling scenes in this novel will make you completely lose track of time while reading

Anatomy: a Love Story by Dana Schwartz: this book completely transported me to another time period, and the characters will certainly hold your attention.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares: this lighthearted read will fill your mind with heartwarming tales of friendship and happiness.

The Summer of Broken Rules by KL Walther: this novel will bring you back to the joyful emotions that come with summer and spending time with family.

The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas: my all time favorite fantasy series, this complex fantasy world and its characters will keep you enthralled for all seven novels!

What books are your favorite escapes?

BOOK VS. FILM! A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

Written by Maren M.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (AGGGTM), written by Holly Jackson, is one of the most iconic YA murder mystery series of the last five years. While the first book was published in 2019, the series became wildly popular a couple years ago due to social media presence, most notably, on a TikTok subcommunity known as BookTok. AGGGTM follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi, nicknamed Pip, on her senior year of high school and her journey to complete her senior capstone project. While most people might choose to do it on college life or the history of hieroglyphs, Pip decides to solve a murder. She suspects, 2.5 years before the start of the book, that Andie Bell was killed, Andie’s boyfriend was blamed, and then he killed himself. But Pip doesn’t believe that narrative. 

The Netflix Series

Usually, I’m not that big of a fan of series adaptations. Finding places to cut episodes, good actors to portray the characters, and places to shoot can easily mess up the story. But it’s safe to say this show did not have these issues. The actors were incredible and truly put their heart and soul into their performances. The emotions and tension at some points in the show are so palpable that you could reach out and grab it. As much as I love the cinematography, the real genius here is the story. The adaptation isn’t a photocopy of the book. There are different motivations, actions, and plot points that keep the essence of the book, but ensure that those who have read the book won't be bored. 

The Books

The books have the same goals as the movie: keep the reader guessing. No matter how good of a literary detective you are, you’ll never be able to guess every piece of the puzzle Pip pieces together. While the Netflix series is good, only one of the 3 spectacular books are featured, leaving everyone waiting for a seasons 2 and 3. I highly recommend reading the books first. It makes watching the show much easier, even if the ending is spoiled. They are truly incredible, and watching Pip grow as a character is truly a once in a lifetime experience.

The Verdict

The murder mystery genre as a whole has a lot of requirements to make it a good story. Plot twists are essential. Out-of-left-field killers are a big no. Most importantly, the story lays a trail you can chase if you reread the book, finding the little clues that make you say "Oh!" once you realize who the killer is. AGGGTM has all of these. In both the books and the adapted series, plot twists and oh moments are guaranteed. Once again, I will always recommend reading the book before the series. However, I cannot recommend this series enough. Book or Netflix series, they are worth a read AND a watch.  

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Include Food

written by Brooke K.

10 books that include food in some significant way 

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. This book is an adorable teen romance novel based on main character, Laura Jean’s life after her secret letters were mailed.  

Emma Lord's Tweet Cute is a sweet romance book about Jack and Pepper’s online Twitter feud about cheese. 

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow written by Laura Taylor Namey follows the life of Lila Reyes as she travels to England for a summer.   

My Ideal Boyfriend Is a Croissant  by Laura Dockrill is a positive and funny book about a barista who loves food.  

Julie Murphy's Dumplin’, is the basis for Netflix’s hit movie also titled Dumplin' which features Jennifer Aniston and Danielle Macdonald. It follows the life of a girl trying to become a pageant queen. 

Puddin’ is the second book in the series that includes Dumplin’ and is just as entertaining of a read. 

In #MurderTrending, Gretchen McNeil's main character is falsely convicted of murder and sentenced to jail time. Her crazy experiences make up the plot of the book. 

Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet by Sherri L. Smith is the story of Ana Shen who discovers her mixed culture through food. 

Wendelin Van Draanen's The Peach Rebellion is the story of a girl who lives on a small peach farm after the tragic WW2. 

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch follows a high schooler who is spending the summer in Italy. Her summer is filled with experiences and of course a lot of gelato.  

Epic Reading Challenge: August

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, when some of our TBG members choose a book that fits the prompt of the month! These prompts provided by Epic Reads hope to inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate in the prompt each month.

The prompt for August was… a diverse/ gender-swapped retelling!

Grace: 

My selection for August was One for All by Lillie Lainoff, which is a gender-bent retelling of The Three Musketeers.

One for All by Lillie Lainoff tells the story of Tania de Batz, a young woman that suffers from medical challenges that cause her to experience bouts of dizziness. Despite these health problems, Tania is determined to follow in the footsteps of her father and become a fencer. When her father suddenly (and suspiciously) dies, she is sent to what appears to be a finishing school, but is actually a training center for female Musketeers. The reader follows Tania on her journey through schooling, meeting a charming target in one of her missions, and trying to discover what really happened to her father.

I’m not too familiar with the original story of the Musketeers, but I certainly enjoyed this gender-bent retelling! One of my favorite aspects was the found family that Tania has through her “sisters” at the training center. Even if you are not well versed in the original tale, this is a good novel to pick up!

Marley:

I chose A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney. 

When Brionne Mathew’s is shot and killed by a police officer due to her powers, fear consumes Alice causing two nightmare creatures to capture her, forcing her to face the cold reality of the real world while navigating through the confusion that is Wonderland. 

Alice is the embodiment of black girl magic. L.L McKinney built such a diverse and lively cast of characters. It was an enjoyable read that had nods to the whimsical twist and turns of the classic Alice in Wonderland with light political commentary of the struggles of a Black girl that doesn’t  feel like she fits in her community filled with racial injustice.

Overall this was a wonderful read to finish off summer. A Blade So Black is a creatively reimagined story of a true classic that really brought me in, making me wish to read it again and again for how it envisions this modern day fantasy. I can’t wait to follow Alice’s journey in the sequel.

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

reviewed by Kate D.
Grade 11

Imagine, at age eight, being kidnapped because you saved a toddler. Imagine your father giving you up because he couldn’t bring himself to fight or bargain to keep you. Imagine poisoning hundreds of people without knowing. Imagine being the last person alive who can control water. Imagine spending years running from town to town, refusing to find home. Imagine being a power tool in some sick game. Imagine.

When fourteen-year-old Mererid realized it was she who killed a whole kingdom, she tried to run. The prince, who forced her to kill hundreds, shackled and branded her. In the first chapter, the reader meets Mer after she had already escaped the castle. She’s lived in a small, quiet village for a whole three months when she’s visited by an old workmate who tells her about a quest he’s brought upon himself.

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones was written extraordinarily well. The characters have depth, secrets, regrets, and passion. The book is filled with twists and deep lore. A long journey as well as rich subplots drive the story. The dialogue pushes a sense of show-not-tell, as evident in lines such as, “Because you are the last—and because I have a need.” The only questionable part of the story is confusion of who the love interest may be or confusion of which side a character is on, though an argument could be made that this confusion enhances the depth and hooks of the book.

The Drowned Woods is a perfect book for fantasy and violence lovers. It’s a clean book, but still includes a romance subplot. As previously stated, the writing is excellent and is very enjoyable. I would definitely recommend reading The Drowned Woods to any book girlies who are looking for a clean fantasy. 

A 2024-25 Florida Teens Read nominee