Stellar Reads, Part 10: Adult Summer Challenge Participants on Favorite Young Adult Books

You don’t have to be a teen or tween to read YA! Here are some warm reviews of YA reads from Adult Summer Challenge participants:


Marc C. on Science: A Discovery in Comics by Margreet de Heer:

If you are already familiar with the history of science this is a delightful review. If you are new to the topic, this is a wonderful, easy-to-digest introduction to what science is and the interaction between our world history and its growth and maturation over the centuries. Recommended for anyone, but probably a 6th-grade reading level.

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Lisa F. on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling:

The mystery of who opened the chamber and how the characters in peril would be saved was renewed as this was my second time through this series. I love how detailed she writes and how the mind fills in the visual. Such imagery and creativity. The magic makes it fantasy and fun. What if there are wizards among us?

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Tieya P. on Bingo Love by Tee Franklin:

This graphic novel’s illustration was awesome. Also I enjoyed how the story flowed and how the character described her love story with her best friend after so many years.

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Kelsey H. on Boxers by Gene Luen Yang:

This graphic novel gives emotional reality to a period of Chinese history that I knew very little about! I can’t wait to read the companion novel, which tells the story of the same conflict, but from the opposite side.

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Lauren S. on We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia:

It is not often that a book pulls me into its universe as deeply as this did. The world created is realistic with enough elements of fiction to grab the attention. I’d recommend this to any young reader that wants adventure and a queer romance along with political espionage.

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Kevin C. on American Street by Ibi Zoboi:

This is an amazing work of fiction about a teenager who is an American citizen by birth, but spent her whole life in Haiti. She is brought to the USA by her mother, the trip paid for by her aunt, in order to live with her aunt and three cousins in Detroit. Her mom is detained at the immigration center, but Fabiola is allowed through and then spends the next few months in total culture shock over the food, the mannerisms, the ways of life, the school, the girls, the boys, and everything in between. This book is considered YA fiction, but it is very enjoyable for adults dealing with issues such as urban decline, inner city life, immigration, love, and family. I highly recommend this book, and I especially recommend it for anyone who wants to read with their teenage son or daughter.

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Join the fun! For a chance to win fabulous prizes in the Adult Summer Challenge, create a free Beanstack account and log each book you finish between June 12 and August 14.

Stellar Reads, Part 9: More Reviews from Adult Summer Challenge Participants

Ready to dip into the perfect beach read? Participants in the Adult Summer Challenge enjoyed the following books.


Michael K. on The Possessed by Fyodor Dostoyevsky:

A rich and complex tapestry of prose articulating many intricate and ornate layers of meaningful storytelling. One of Dostoyevsky’s four epic masterpieces. A narrative that whirls the reader like a leaf in the wind through a colorful and sometimes bleak landscape of Russia’s collapsing pre-revolution society. A must-read.

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Kara K. on The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch:

Absolutely amazing. This well-crafted memoir is heartbreaking but glittering with beauty the way water does.

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Dominic F. on The Chef by James Patterson and Max DiLallo:

Another Patterson thriller hits readers in all the right spots: suspense, mystery, action, and love. His formula of short chapters and paragraphs makes it another in his very long line of escapist bestsellers.

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Whitney J. on Out of Range by C.J. Box:

Like the other Joe Pickett novels I’ve read, the scenery makes me want to go camping in the west, and the science is present and not overwhelming. Ecology, endangered species, forestry, land management, encroaching settlement are important to Joe and handled wonderfully by Box.

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Melissa R. on Early Riser by Jasper Fforde:

What if, every winter, humans hibernated, too? After centuries of feasting in the autumn to ensure living through hibernation to Springrise, a drug called Morphenox, created by HiberTech, allows a higher survival rate. But there’s a downside: every so often, someone doesn’t wake up at Springrise. Instead, trapped in their minds, these people are known as nightwalkers and are used for low-skilled positions . . . before they’re “parted out” for their organs. Charlie Worthing impulsively decides to become a Winter Consul, staying awake during Winter and helping ensure society is protected while it’s asleep. To his surprise, he’s swept up into a HiberTech-led conspiracy, one that could have vast repercussions on everyone. He doesn’t know who to believe or who to trust . . . will HiberTech succeed in increasing the number of nightwalkers and improving their bottom line? The answer may seem like a dream, but you’ll keep turning the pages until the very end!

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Masika M. on Blood Fury by J.R. Ward:

Like all the prior books in the series, Blood Fury is excellent! I enjoy the way the love stories unravel in a realistic non-fairy-tale way.

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Kia R. on I Don’t Belong To You by Keke Palmer:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could barely put it down. As a fan that has followed pretty much her whole career I am truly impressed with her growth as a woman.

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Join the fun! For a chance to win fabulous prizes in the Adult Summer Challenge, create a free Beanstack account and log each book you finish between June 12 and August 14.

What’s New: Blu-Rays come to the Pratt

We have great news for movie lovers and film buffs.  Blu-Rays are now available at the Pratt Central Library! Branch users can put holds on blu-rays and have them delivered to your library of choice.  Watch your favorite movie classics and latest releases in high definition in the comfort of your home.

Here a few films that we are planing on watching soon. Check out all of the Blu-Ray discs available here.

A Star is Born
Check it out
Breaking In
Check it out
Crazy Rich Asians
Check it out
Creed II
Check it out
Game Night
Check it out
Halloween
Check it out
Isn’t It Romantic
Check it out
Mary Poppins Returns
Check it out
Second Act
Check it out
Teen Titans Go! To the Movies
Check it out

Stellar Reads, Part 8: What Adult Summer Challenge Participants are Reading

Here’s a look at what some participants in the 2019 Summer Challenge are reading.


Kelly H. on Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner:

I’ve loved Jennifer Weiner since I bought her debut novel Good in Bed when it first came out. I mention this because when I say that this is her best novel, I know what I’m talking about. I love Jo so much. I saw her life unfold and I feel like it really could’ve been mine if I had been born in a different time and so I’m so happy and grateful that I was born when I was. And I love Bethie. The lives they both led were painful at times but so authentic. I feel so fortunate to live in a time when women have choices. I adored this book so much. I know we’ve been waiting a long time for it, but it was so worth it.

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Tamasin A. on The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden:

This book sucks you back into Medieval Russia, enmeshes you in the fairy tale and makes it so you don’t want to put it down, and even when I do it takes a while to stop thinking in a Russian accent. Excellent book.

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Shawna P. on A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole:

Alyssa Cole has done it again with her newest Reluctant Royals novel! Fans of Cole’s first two books in the series won’t be disappointed with this one. Nya is a shy woman, emotionally abused by her father, and has been following the lifestyle of Prince Johan, the tabloids’ favorite bad-boy. Johan, the stepson of the king, has a fragile heart of gold, afraid to care for anything after the sudden death of his mother, and has been secretly watching the young timid Nya. When the two accidentally share a moment on the plane back to Thesolo, feelings start becoming reality!

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Lawrence O. on At Home with Muhammad Ali by Hana Ali:

This is an insightful recall of her life growing up with her mom and dad. It is personal and full of emotion and purpose to show the side of Ali that was personal and private.

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Nelly G. on Drama City by George Pelecanos:

Drama City by George Pelecanos is excellent if you like gritty, city books. The story and action are truly realistic and it is hard not to feel that the lives of certain people in the city are destined. It takes place in Washington, D.C., and is a story of the struggle people have pulling themselves out of the life they have led in the past. Good read.

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Join the fun! For a chance to win fabulous prizes in the Adult Summer Challenge, create a free Beanstack account and log each book you finish between June 12 and August 14.

Stellar Reads, Part 7: More Reviews from Adult Summer Challenge Participants

Check out these all-stars recommended by participants in the Adult Summer Challenge:



Katherine D. on John Dies at the End by David Wong:

Incredibly interesting read, a bit scarier than I had anticipated, not the best read for right before bed. The development of the main character is quite fascinating, you’re obviously rooting for him to save the world, but at the same time you (and the first-person author) are constantly unsure if you even like him.

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Mary T. on The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo:

Highly recommend for adults as well as children. Thought-provoking novel on the importance of opening yourself up to love.

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Dana R. on The Paris Diversion by Chris Pavone:

This was a fun summer read, a soft-core thriller, with a heroine who combines being a mother and housewife with being a CIA agent. It starts with what you first think is a terrorist act, but as the book progresses you realize it is something entirely different. Entertaining and easy to read.

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Kalyn S. on The Five Love Languages by Gary D. Chapman:

An interesting read on relationships and how different styles of communication can impact the health and strength of that relationship. It’s especially helpful for making sure you express love and gratefulness to your partner in a way that they will truly understand and value.

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Join the fun! For a chance to win fabulous prizes in the Adult Summer Challenge, create a free Beanstack account and log each book you finish between June 12 and August 14.