In the blink of an eye, Mia's entire life is forever changed. A day that begins as a cherished "snow day," one of those days where the universe grants you a special gift, no school, soon turns in to the worst day of Mia's life. One that takes everything she has. Now she must decide if she is strong enough to survive, or if she even wants to.

Witnessing her damaged body being pulled from the wreckage of her family's car is just the beginning. She listens as friends tell her it's okay to go, and as others tell her to stay. Intensely moving, this book explores the life that Mia had and what she has lost. If I Stay is a witty and fun book that manages to take a serious situation and turn it into a beautiful discovery. I highly recommend this book, and am looking forward to the sequel Where She Went which will be available April 2011. (Already available for requests!)

-Rachel

"I don't want to be a man," said Jace. "I want to be an angst-ridden teenager who can't confront his own inner demons and takes it out verbally on other people instead."
 
"Well," said Luke, "you're doing a fantastic job."
 
 — Cassandra Clare, City of Ashes

"Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't." 


Hmm... sounds interesting, right? Well, one of the great perks of being a librarian is getting to read books BEFORE they come out. Recently, someone put the book Delirium by Lauren Oliver in my hands and I thought it looked pretty interesting. So I read it in like two days and needless to say it really got my attention. I'm not going to through any spoilers out, but trust me when I say get it! Get it now!


I realize this won't be out until February, but I just have a feeling that this is going to be a big hit, which generally means request lists out the wazoo. So get your name on the list now, and be one of the first few to have it (I've already ordered several copies for us). Now that you've heard my two cents, heed your librarian's advice. We are intelligent creatures. :)

~Rachel

Well, first, congratulations for making it this far! You are so close to graduating, moving out of your parents house, living on ramen noodles, oh yeah, and being broke...

So I thought I would share this wonderful little database the library just got. It's called TFS (Tuition Funding Sources) and it's made possible by the Pepsi-Cola Company. They offer free college information, as well as info on how to get scholarships and other financial aid. If you are interested, you can check out the website from home at http://www.tuitionfundingsources.com/?library=KernCountyLib-CA. There's also a link on the Kern County Library home page.

Anyway, just thought I'd let ya'll know about this great resource. Happy scholarship hunting! (Hope you find enough so you don't have eat ramen noodles!)

~Rachel
Your money-lovin librarian

Hah! October is here, and there's plenty going on in Bakersfield! Time to get busy and have some fun... you only get to live once. :)

10/15 - Literary Kern - The Art and Craft of Cover Design. Graphic artist Gene Stirm will show self-publishers how to create dazzling book covers. Tejon Room, 2nd floor @ 3:30pm

10/15 - The Make A Difference Tour at Rabobank Arena featuring Max Lucado, Third Day, Toby Mac and more...

10/15 - Blake Shelton in Concert at the Fox Theatre

10/16 - Condors vs. Las Vegas... Come out to Rabobank for the season opener! (I'll be there!)

10/19 - TAG! Teen Advisory Group, Lake Room, 1st floor @ 3:30pm

 10/22 - Books with Beat! A playlist of book talks on the theme of music. Young adult event, Lake Room 1st floor @ 3:30pm

10/29 - Condors vs. Stockton

10/30 - Condors vs. Stockton

Then, of course this is the month for spooky Halloween stuff! Check out these seasonal delights...

The Chamber Haunted House - Open on the following dates: 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st.... Be sure to check out their website for a coupon for $2 off admission.

Talladega Frights - There's something for everyone here... Haunted house, check. Corn maze, check. Pumpkin patch, check, check, check. Yep, three super cool corn mazes! Check it out all month! 7 p.m. Oct. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31.

Okay, that's my list for now! I hope to see you around town! Oh and come by the library Halloween Weekend to see some cool costumes! I'll be dressing up... will you?

I almost forgot to post about the cool program we are doing today! Shame on me!!

It's time to Trick out your Textbook! Yep, you heard me... This afternoon we will be making book covers for that nasty school books, or really any book that you want to cover. I've got paper, glue, glitter, PUFF PAINT (a personal favorite), markers, stickers, and various other odds and ends.

I'm so excited about today's craftiness! Let's just say I'll have a book cover by the end of the day whether you guys show up or not! (BUT I hope you do because it will be more fun!)

Okay, so to recap, today, 3:30, in the Lake Room, Beale Memorial Library, creatively crafty covers!

-Rachel

Yep, that's right, I'm baaaaack! My eight week hiatus was nice, but I'm very happy to be back at the library. Now, I just need my teen people to come in and say hello! I'm sure I missed some fun, but now I'm ready to plan some new and exciting things for this coming school year.

Here's some fun stuff that's already scheduled for this month:

September 11th: Kings, Queens, Knights & Pawns - Young and old are invited to learn the royal game of chess. In the auditorium @ 11:00 am.

September 17th: TAG! Teen Advisory Group Meeting. Lake Room, 1st Floor @ 3:30pm.

September 22nd: Battle at the Beale - Afterschool Prep for the Battle of the Books, 2011. Grades 4-8. In the auditorium @ 3:30pm.

September 24th: Trick Out Your Textbook - Book covers for teens. Lake Room, 1st floor @ 3:30 pm.

Oh, and I know you need something to read when those mean teachers make you sit quietly, so drop by and check out some of our exciting new books! Hope to see you all soon!

-Rachel

Just a quick reminder about today's meeting: bring an old t-shirt you don't mind destroying for a special craft. We're going to use some staples and some duct tape for some super fancy tote bags! It's sure to be fun!

This book trailer is amazing! It made me put this one on request! Hope you enjoy it!

-Rachel

After years of drought, famine and war the United States has collapsed and Panem has risen. Panem controls every aspect of life for the citizens in its twelve districts, from food to entertainment. As part of their “entertainment” and as a reminder that the government is in absolute control, each year they hold a competition known as the Hunger Games. Each district must provide a boy and a girl to compete in a televised game where the winner is the last one standing.