Word Out 2014TEEN SUMMER READING

The Summer of Murder...

A big Hello to all of you out there! My name is Monica and I am a Youth Librarian with the Toronto Public Library system. With that being said, I love to read Young Adult Fiction, and my list this summer is all about murder! Yes, I know that sounds a bit morbid, but hey! What's life without a little bit of morbidity? The appeal of diving into a story that will have you on the edge of your seat, guessing till the very end with crazy twists and turns, is just indescribable for me. So if you are anything like me, and enjoy the suspense and thrill, then my booklist is just the thing for you. On the flip side, if you’re sitting there thinking, what is this person on? Who likes to read about murder?!! Then… my booklist is just the thing for you! I invite you to try out the books on my list and let me know what you think (both good and bad).

I hope you have a wonderful summer, and that you take this opportunity to participate in the FANTASTIC! Word Out program. It’s a great chance to interact with other youth and show off your crazy skills by participating in our various contests over the summer. And don’t forget about the numerous chances to win some amazing prizes… after all, who doesn’t like winning things?

You know my name

This blog entry is a chance to introduce myself and let you Word Out readers know a thing or two about who the person is behind the blog entry name "Cameron". First my name is Cameron, I am currently a branch head with the Toronto Public Library. I love books. I have always loved books. I cannot remember a time in my life when I did not love books. Books are amazing!

I also love chocolate, music, horror films, cats and dogs, food and being bitter. In fact being bitter is one of the things I try to excel at. So what can I say about myself that will inspire you to want to be involved in this summer reading thing? There are prizes. Prizes are nice and it means you get something for free, even if you don't like the prize you can always re-gift it. I am sure your mom or dad would totally want that teen bestseller for Christmas or the next major gift giving holiday in your lives. Also you can read up on what other youth are reading, what they think about library culture, how they feel about summer time in general.

I will also be the one moderating the "Five Frames From . . . " weekly contest so please check that out. It will go live every Friday at 10 A.M.

So please go and enjoy your summer.

Embrace Your Geek-Self this Summer.

I'll admit, I love science - the weirder and more off-beat - the better. I also have a not so hidden fancy for cats.  Last summer as part of Word Out, I indulged in all-things music, but 2014 is the summer of science!  

The books on my top picks list are just a place for you to get started with some summer reading.  It's a mix of books exploring everything from impending mass extinction, to Doctor Who, to genetically modified tapeworms and saving the human species by breeding with aliens.  Please please if you have your own recommendations and are totally in love with anything science-ish - an idea or concept - an author - tv series - anything! Do share and let's all indulge our geek-selves in discussion. 

While I've read lots of nature-writing, survival manuals and binge on fiction, I'm pretty new to sci-fi.  I had always thought it was just a bunch of 1950s-style spacemen killing aliens. End of story. But how delightful to discover there is so much more!  I found that progressive, new sci-fi is a new genre that I love.  I've found that sci-fi and spec fic are amazing spaces to explore ethics and re-evaluate concepts of race, class, gender, sexuality, autonomy - and general social constructs - as well as science and technology.  

So if you're a reader that generally says "ew! sci-fi", I challenge you to just take a peek at a few of the books - The sci-fi and spec fic picks will appeal to fiction lovers, too.

Yes! Summer is here! The Summer of Science!

P.S. Always entertaining and informative, author Dan Riskin is coming to North York on July 19th. His book, Mother Nature is Trying to Kill You is one of the science picks for the summer.

 

So What’s the Big Deal About Fashion Anyway?

If I were to describe myself, ‘well dressed’ or ‘fashionable’ probably wouldn’t be terms I would choose. My idea of dressing up is wearing clothes that don’t have any visible stains, and I don’t think I’ve owned either an iron or a hairbrush in over a decade. I tried to tie a bow tie once, but after I came close to throttling myself I decided to stick to the clip on variety.

In other words, I’m not exactly your typical fashion blogger.

Your Recommendations

Have you fallen in love?

Does a particular book / movie / tv series / author / book series 

make you swoon or set you on fire?  

Share the love!   Post your latest fave and summer thrill.

 

Crafts, Maker Culture, and Creativity

Hey everyone! Do you like to make things? Do you enjoy crafting items out of wool, cloth and thread? Or are you more interested in ways to create things electronically?

If you do, then welcome to the Crafting side of this summer’s Word Out blog.

My name is Christine and I’m a Librarian at the Toronto Public Library. I’m always on the lookout for new ways to explore the world of crafting, as well as how to make use of the different kinds of crafting resources we have available through the library.

Join me this summer as I review a variety of different books about crafting and creativity, both fiction and non-fiction,  all of which can be found through your local public library branch. I will also be trying my hand at a few of the projects published in a couple of the books, like from The Knitster: 25 Knitting Projects for the Modern World by Robbie Dulaney and Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery by Leanne Prain, and sharing my successes and failures through this blog. I hope you'll take the time to try some of them too.

So, what do you like to make in your spare time? Let me know. :)

Exercises come in all shapes and sizes

Hello people of the digital world, my name is Stephen and this summer I will be blogging about exercises of all shapes and sizes. I am a huge fitness nut and I love getting out there and playing sports and doing crazy events, but I also love reading and intellectual challenges. I think it's very important to maintain both a healthy mind and a healthy body. 

Follow me this summer for some awesome reads and suggestions on cool ways to get fit and stay sharp!

 

That being said, my first question to all of you out there in digital space is:

What are some of your favorite ways to get fit or stay sharp? 

 

Toy Hacking with MakerKids @ Fairview Library

Toy Hacking is a fun and entertaining way to let your
imagination go wild and a wonderful space for you to learn to make unique creations that only YoU have imagined...you.....or perhaps just you and SteVen SpEiLberg.

In the spirit of maker culture,  Fairview Library has invited Maker Kids to kickstart their summer Word Out maker programs at the library with an awesome popular Toy Hacking workshop. 

Get into serious hacking efun and create cool cratures using a hack saw, drills, electronics, and much more.  Bring an old unwanted toy with you to hack.

 

Toy Hacking Workshop
Fairview Library
35 Fairview Mall Dr.
Saturday July 5, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
416-395-5750

An alluring alternate universe -- The Hunger Games reviewed

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Megan

The Hunger Games is a fictional novel, where the author, Suzanne Collins, takes us to the heart of a dystopian society like no other. North America becomes a thing of the past, and is replaced by the nation Pamen. In the center of the city lays the Capitol, which is surrounded by 12 impoverished districts which at some point of the history has rebelled, now they pay the price. This result is the Hunger Games –- a fight to the finish where only one survives –- which reminds people that the cities they live remain in the shadows under the rules of the Capitol. At a reaping, tributes are chosen, and we’re introduced to the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen. We are also presented to the second tribute, Peeta, who has been in love with Katniss since he was five. Suzanne Collins has put fervor into the world, characters, and themes created in the novel. The Hunger Games is a captivating book whose plot immerses you in an entire new universe, and you are unable to stop reading.

The novel has flawlessly incorporated its setting, characters and themes. There is such detailed world-building. Ms. Collins has surprisingly erected a fantastical and believable world just so carefully that Panem didn't seem quite as far-fetched as it might have been without the proper features. Everything from the craziness of the Capitol with their ridiculous priorities and fashion trends to the specialization of the districts and the mysterious District 13 rang just true enough for suspension of disbelief. Memorable characters ratchet up the tension, keeping the reader on edge. Although Katniss may be skilled with a bow and arrow and adept at analyzing her opponents’ next moves, she unexpectedly has much to learn about personal sentiments, especially her own for Peeta or her hunting partner Gale. Many themes (teenage anguish, love, poverty and more), add to the novel’s exciting adventure, wistful romance, and raw action creating conflict. For example, the sacrifices Katniss makes when she takes her sister's place in the Hunger Games. Populated by meticulous setting, three-dimensional characters, and great themes this is a superb tale recommended to many young readers.

The Hunger Games fascinates the reader with an alluring alternate universe and manages to enchant them every inch of the way to keep on reading. Ms. Collins illustrates the novel without the visual need of screen-play with extensive details. Characters also are brought to life as they are played out in our minds. Themes in the novel are able to enhance the intricate plot. The Hunger Games convince readers to crack the binding of the next two books in the series. 

Vampires, werewolves, faeries -- The Mortal Instruments series reviewed

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

Reviewed by Natasha

I read the first book of this series after watching the movie for City of Bones. I have to say I am hooked on this series. These books have something for everyone! They have romance, adventure, sci-fi all in one. It will leave you turning pages trying to find out what is going on and all the twist and turns in the books will blow you away! Just when I thought I know what's going on, think again. I don't want to give away the story but with shadow hunters, vampires, werewolves, faeries and many other demons and creatures this book will keep anyone interested be it a boy or a girl. I am very excited to read more in this series as I want for my turn to come up! The books are always better than the movies, but learning more plots was just amazing in this book.