Weetzie Bat

Francesca Lia Block's Weetzie Bat is an alternative novel starring Weetzie... she wears taffeta dresses and likes things that sparkle. She is strange and bizarre, but so is the company she meets. Hanging out with Dirk they travel around the town in Dirk's Pontiac and decide to find love. Coincidentally they do and all move into Dirk's grandmother's home and work to live "happily ever after..."

This book is a perfect read for anyone who ever a little "weird" maybe a little different. It's OK to listen to dream about Marilyn Monroe and fall in love in the strangest of ways. If you're looking for a normal Twilight-y teen romance then this book isn't for you... If you listen to 1970's punk and think the rockabilly life might be for you, you need to read this...

Pretty Dead

Francesca Lia Block's Pretty Dead takes the glamor and romance from Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Saga and turns the quest for eternal life as a vampire, to a desire toward humanity. Charlotte Emerson has everything from wealth to beauty, but wants nothing more than to be human. Decades of loneliness and suffering from the death of her twin brother have left her pining for death and the chance to once again feel love. Her creator and fellow vampire offers her a chance, but with a sacrifice that involves the death of those around her. Mixed with poetry, dialogue, and letters the book is a quick read that spins the ideas we have been forming about the lifestyles of vampires after the rise in Twilight's popularity.

The Perfect Boy

Hailey Abbott's The Perfect Boy can be dumped into the pile of those teen novels that are no great work of literary genius, but you managed to read in a couple hours because you couldn't get past the drama and the never ending love triangles. Following Ciara as she leaves behind her famous soap star Mother for a summer with her Dad in Santa Barbara, we get to watch her attempt to land a budding hip hop emcee...along with her best friend. The two of them just so happen to be friends with his ex as well. Trying everything from revealing clothes to some sultry dancing, both girls fail in the end as emcee AJ hooks back up with his ex. In the end all find a love of their own and learn a thing or two about themselves. If you're looking for points to score with your AP English teacher, this novel won't land you that, but if you're looking for a good guilty read, The Perfect Boy and Abbott's other Summer Boys are a start.

If You Come Softly

Following Miah and Ellie as they go through their lives moving to a new private school in New York, the two offer different but startling similar perspectives on their relationship with one another as members of different races. As a a biracial couple the two face the questioning of their parents, family, friends, and tackle the stares of those around them. Highlighting the strength and power in love, the story is warm and hopeful with a twist that will leave the reader questioning their own perspective on race and relationships.

Twilight...

The Cesar Chavez Library will be showing the Twilight film starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart on Saturday June 27th at 6:30pm. The after hours showing will also include a chance for you to get your photo taken with Edward and a chance to win free door prizes including Twilight stickers, games, key chains, and more. Small book club sign ups will also take place that day and you can claim your loyalty to Team Edward or Team Jacob.

For more information please contact the Cesar Chavez Library at 831-758-7345

National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month and there are a lot of great books and websites to get you going with poetry. Check out Teen Ink for monthly poetry submissions from teens across the country, and submit your own work. Look in our online catalog for your favorite poet, or browse a genre to find something new.

In the mean time try out:
Screams from the Balcony by Bukowski

Diving into the Wreck by Adrienne Rich

The Brimstone Journals by Ronald Koertge

Buried Alive by Ralph Fletcher

Words on Fire by Giovanna Capone

The Sonnets by Shakespeare

Three Times a Woman by Alicia Gaspar de Alba

Megan McCafferty's Upcoming Novel

Coming April 14th of this year Megan McCafferty's Perfect Fifths brings us more Jessica Darling. Following her from running track, serving coffee, Princeton, and Marcus Flutie the new novel follows the series: Sloppy First, Second Helpings, Charmed Thirds and Fourth Comings. Check out a great interview with the author conducted by a high school student and hosted online here.