Age Group:
Adult

Genre:
Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural

Awards:
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee for Adult Literature (2012), ALA Alex Award (2012), The Reading List Genre Awards for Fantasy (2012)

Summary:
Two talented illusionists, Celia and Marco, are pitted against each other in a competition held within a mysterious night circus. Both trained since childhood for this final purpose, the two find themselves slowly drawn to each other as they struggle to understand the strangely beautiful magic that binds them.

My Thoughts:
Either fantasy is just not my genre, or this book is not very well done. Considering its 4 out of 5 rating on Goodreads, I’m thinking maybe the former.

After all the hype about this book, I really expected something amazing. Instead it felt so long and repetitive – and did I mention looooong!? It’s pretty rare for me to give a poor review and I really wanted to give this book a fair chance, but I felt super unsatisfied after finishing it. Firstly, there are way too many characters to keep track of. Secondly, character development is poor – probably because there are too many characters to develop! I also found myself annoyed at the author’s use of so many protaganists, lacking seemless transitions among so many points of view.

While the quality of the writing itself is excellent and the story intriguing, it just failed to reach me at a higher level. But like I said, maybe fantasy is just not my genre. If your into circuses and magicians, you will certainly find some value in Morgenstern’s descriptive prose and superior use of the English language.

Weigh in on The Night Circus today. Borrow a copy from your local Vaughan Library.

REGISTRATION BEGINS THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 7 AT 7 PM AT THE PIERRE BERTON RESOURCE LIBRARY.

Summer is almost here and you’re looking for exciting activities for your children. Why not sign them up for a Children’s Computer Camp? Campers will expand their skill set, have fun and indulge a love of technology.

Sessions will take place at the Pierre Berton Resource Library from July 9 to August 17, 2012 during library hours. Please pre-register at the Check Out Desk. For ages 9 to 12.

Comic Creations (morning and afternoon sessions offered week 2/week 5)
Are you a comic fanatic? Enjoy drawing your own comics? If so, the Comic Creations camp is the place for you this summer! Learn how to publish your own digital comic strip story.

Animation Studio (morning and afternoon sessions offered week 3/week 6)
How would you like to write, direct, and produce your own animated short film? Sign up for the Animation Studio camp and we will teach you how to do that using the latest online tools!

Registration begins Thursday, June 7 at 7 p.m. at the Pierre Berton Resource Library.

For information about the camps including the full schedule, registration details, and fees please click here.

Age:
Adult

Genre:
Non-Fiction, Autobiography, American, Coming-of-age, Humour

Summary:
Justin Halpern follows up his #1 New York Times Bestseller Sh*t my Dad Says with I Suck at Girls, a book tackling his trials and tribulations in the dating scene. Sprinkled throughout with funny quips from his father, Halpern’s biography holds nothing back, sharing with the reader every gritty detail of growing up and dating. Through his voice we hear about a childhood crush gone awry, late night exploits with misguided waitresses and his final brave attempt to hold on to lasting love.

My Thoughts:
In one word: HILARIOUS! This book flew by as I finished it up in two days. Not a book for the prudish, Halpern’s biography is blunt and vulgar. Some of his experiences are so theatrical – like getting chased out of the woods by homeless men – they almost border on the unbelievable. Each hilarious anecdote had me laughing out loud and even finding bits of myself in the shy and terminally awkward Halpern. A must read for those with a sarcastic sense of humour!

Borrow I Suck at Girls from your local Vaughan Library today!