Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein

from goodreads

4 stars

Every time I read a book, whether I end up liking it or not, I am usually in awe of the author's imagination. It is amazing how every author comes up with a unique take on some aspect of life, or adventure, or creates a whole new world. The execution may not always be up to snuff, but the seed of greatness is always there.

That is probably why so many movies are made from book adaptations. The movie people see that seed and what to enhance it. Sometimes they do an excellent job. Sometimes not. There are times when I am reading a book and I say to myself, "I can't wait to see this as a movie". Or, you read a book and it plays in your mind as the movie. You can see it so clearly.

So thank you authors for putting your seeds of inspiration down on paper and giving us worlds and ideas we, ourselves, had not thought of. You open us to so much!

Synopsis

All over the U.S.A. complaints have been coming into Mr. Lemoncello that he didn't allow his last contest to be opened up to them. They want a chance to prove their library know-how. So here comes the library olympics, with the best of the best competing for supremacy and the hometown team feeling the need to prove themselves.

My Thoughts

I always get nervous with sequels, especially after the originals were so good. This did not disappoint. While I still liked the first book Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library a little bit more, this one was still right up there. There is enough of craziness, yet normalcy that would appeal to every reader. I love how he mentions books so that those reading are encouraged to check them out. And, it is fun! I want Mr. Lemoncello to build his next library in my city.

I also liked how this book addressed censorship and banned books. Though he didn't come out in a preachy way, he did express the idea that censorship of books is not a good thing. We should be able to have the right to choose for ourselves what books to read or not. Who is one person, or group of people, to say what book is good for me or not. Grabenstein introduces this idea if a fun way, that hopefully plants the seeds of anti-censorship into his young readers, or at least helps them start thinking about it and start a conversation about it.

As an adult reading it there were some plot points that seemed obvious and I guessed at. But, it was still a fun read and I know that the kids reading this book (10+) will love it!

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

from goodreads

5 stars

Growing up I loved playing the board game Clue. I loved the little papers that made me feel like I was a real detective. I loved the board layout an the different prints for each room. Our board was really old and had real people's pictures for the characters instead of drawings. Miss Scarlet looked so sophisticated lying on the chaise lounge holding her long and sleek cigarette holder. (Now I'm like, come on Miss Scarlet, don't smoke you will age prematurely.)

So as I was saying, I loved playing clue. Then I realized that my parents did not teach me the actual real rules of clue and that everyone else knows a different way to play than me. We didn't use the die, we just put whoever we wanted in whatever room with whatever weapon we wanted. I thought the die was just for deciding who went first.

Has that ever happened to you? You think you know how to play something only to realize your family is the only one who ever played it like that?

Synopsis

Kyle Keeley loves to play board games, especially games made by Mr. Luigi Lemoncello. The news of his towns new public library doesn't interest him until he finds out that it was built and paid for by Mr. Lemoncello. When he and twelve other twelve year olds are chosen to spend the night in the library they discover they are in for the adventure of their life.

My Thoughts

I loved this book. It is like Clue, meets Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, meets Survivor. It was fast paced, exciting and, for me, unpredictable. I loved how he references other books or uses other book titles throughout the novel. I was even happy because I had heard of most of them and had even read quite a few.

The main take home message of this story is that you should check out your local library and discover the magic of reading. The best part is the author doesn't do this in an obvious way. The book is so fun it doesn't feel like it has a moral. Yet it is there. I now want to read a lot of the book mentioned because they seem so much fun.

I also like how the author shows collaboration and sharing is better than trying to win at all costs. Once again the book is so much fun you don't realize you are learning this, but you get the message just the same.

It is nice when a book is full of morals but you aren't beaten over the head with them.

The characters seem like average twelve year olds which is so nice. Sometimes you read books with preteens as characters, yet they seem to be too old for the age. They do things or are responsible for things that normal preteens would not be. Here the characters are normal, everyday diverse kids.

The story has great flow. I like the use of board games and clues. The reader is given the clues as well so you are trying to figure things out at the same time as the characters. I like how he refers to classic board games as well. I think I need to go to my parents out and break out our game of Husker du. The setting of the library is really cool. I would love to be in an awesome library like that. The library has an almost Wonkaesque feeling to it, a magic that anything could happen.

This book is just such a great read. I think I will have this as a summer read for my kids when they are a little older. I think this would be a great book for kids 9 and up. I think this would be a great book for boys to read. It is exciting and has puzzles so I think it would hold their interest. (Of course it would be great for girls too, it just is hard to find books for boys it seems.) I highly recommend this book. Even if you don't have kids this would be a great read.

The Library at Night by Alberto Manguel

from goodreads

3.5 stars

I have a secret. It is one I have not told many people. Here it is, I wish I was a librarian! I love the smell of books, I love arranging books into categories, I like the way they look on shelves. I of course also like reading books but, man, to be a librarian and decide what books to have in my library and which ones can go. That seems the ultimate power and fun!

Reading this book made me realize that I am not the only person in the world who loves libraries and the order of libraries and everything about libraries. It is very comforting to know that.

Synopsis

This book features and discusses libraries and books from around the world. From the 3rd century B.C. to modern days. It discusses how libraries, whether personal or public, influence our lives and, in some ways, reflect ourselves and our identity.

My Thoughts

Despite the title, this has really little to do with a library at night. It is more metaphorical and figurative. And, despite this being a book about libraries, it was a really interesting read. Some non-fiction makes your eyes glaze over and you forget what you have just read. This book is very easy to read and there is minimal eye glazing. The first two chapters and the last two chapters, were not as interesting to me. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to continue. I am really glad I did.


I like how he started each chapter with personal reflection or insight into his own his own library that he built himself at his property in France. He shares is indecisiveness of how to organize his books and how the way he organizes his books and the shape of the library itself affects how he reads in the space. I had really never thought of it before but it is true, the place you read affects how you read. If you are in a study carrel at university, you are going to read more studiously. If you are wrapped up in cozy blanket in front of a fire with a warm beverage, you will be more relaxed and be able to truly escape into the story. Manguel brings to light other library universal truths, that you know exist but had never thought about before.

I really enjoyed the discussion about shadow libraries. A shadow library is what books are not in the actual library. Why were they taken out or never purchased to begin with? What is not in a library can tell us just as much about a library or a philosophy of a people as what is actually in it, if not more. I also liked his discussion about technology and how we cannot be completely dependent on it and get rid of hard copies of documents and books. It was music to my ears and I was in total agreement with what he said.

After reading this I am interested to read his book A History of Reading. One more to add to my to read list. That thing never gets shorter.

Although it is very readable, this is definitely a book for the book lover and library lover. You need to understand the joy and art of reading to truly appreciate this book and understand what he is saying. So, I won't be getting this book for my husband for Christmas, but otherwise a very good read.