23 Things... the first thing

I think I was seven years old when I got my first library card. I have always loved books. I love the feeling of completely losing yourself in a story. As a child, my favourite days were library days. I remember having one hour on a Monday afternoon to pick out my library books for the week. I read everything I could get my hands on. When I read 'Little Women' for the first time, I was completely drawn in to the lives of those four young girls. I may have hated the book-burning Amy more than Jo March did.

Books have always been an important part of my life, and I think of libraries as an oasis. I feel very at home in the calming silence of a library. I'm not sure exactly what I'll be writing about here, but at the very least my love of books and the awesome ones that I am currently tearing through. I just started reading "Brain on Fire" by Susannah Cahalan. I rarely read memoirs, but I seem to be on a bit of kick lately.  Here is a review by the New York Times if you are interested: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/books/review/brain-on-fire-by-susannah-cahalan.html?_r=0 .

Recommendation of the day: "Orange is the New Black" by Piper Kerman. I just finished reading this book, and I thought it was fantastic.  You may have heard of the netflix series by the same name. I have to say that I really preferred the book. I feel like the portrayal of the women in prison is much more empathetic, and realistic. The book is thoughtful and raises important questions about the state of correctional facilities. The television show is a more dramatic and exaggerated re-telling of Piper Kerman's story, and while well-written and entertaining, lacks some of the emotional substance. While I enjoyed the show, I found the protagonist to be much more thoughtful and interesting in the book. CBC's Q did an interview with Piper Kerman regarding her experiences in the prison system, and it's worth a listen: http://www.cbc.ca/books/2013/08/the-real-piper-on-prison-and-orange-is-the-new-black.html

If you're out there, let me know what great new books have you excited about reading. We are thinking of starting a Teen Book Club at my library, and I'm trying to draw up some new and exciting young adult titles. Until next time!