What We Read Last Week – August 17

August 17, 2009 | Alan H. | Comments (104)

I read Robert B. Parker's The Boxer and the Spy last week, a hardboiled teen mystery by a writer who's been writing mysteries for quite some time longer than I've been alive and has polished the craft to perfection.  Highly enjoyable, fast read!

I used to read a lot of mysteries as a teen (both YA ones and ones written for adults), but sort of fell out of the genre as I got older.  I've sort of gotten back in this summer, though.

Alan H is a web librarian at Toronto Public Library.  He reads all over the place.

What did you read last week?  Let us know by commenting!

Comments

104 thoughts on “What We Read Last Week – August 17

  1. I just finished reading Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder and I’m in love with the series. The first novel is called Poison Study and the second is Magic Study. Of the three, My favourite was Poison Study. This novel is about a girl named Yelena who is given the choice to become the commander’s food taster or risk being sent for execution. I like how Yelena tries hard to learn the poisons so she can’taste for poisons in the Commander’s food. This series is a must read!

    Reply
  2. I just finished reading Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder and I’m in love with the series. The first novel is called Poison Study and the second is Magic Study. Of the three, My favourite was Poison Study. This novel is about a girl named Yelena who is given the choice to become the commander’s food taster or risk being sent for execution. I like how Yelena tries hard to learn the poisons so she can’taste for poisons in the Commander’s food. This series is a must read!

    Reply
  3. I read “Does my head look big in this?” It’s about a girl in her second last year of high school. The author Randa-Abdel Fattah used a wide range of comic relief while discussing some serious issues involving 911. It was funny but at the same time the book taught me alot about hijabs and the other customs and traditions of muslims. It was quite educational and I really liked how I could relate to Amal. The thoughts she shared as a narrator were quite similar to the average teenager’s. It was amazing how the author, being much older than the character she “played”, knew so much about teenage life. Although I know that the author was a teen herself once upon a time, it was great to see that she still knew what it was like to be a teen.
    I also read “Shoot the Moon” by Billie Letts it was an amazing mystery although it didn’t involve much suspense. The main character was quite easy to relate to and I could quite easily put people i know in the place of the other characters. It was quite easy to let my imagination run wild and feel as though the story was taking place in my own neighbourhood.
    I just loved both of these books.

    Reply
  4. I read “Does my head look big in this?” It’s about a girl in her second last year of high school. The author Randa-Abdel Fattah used a wide range of comic relief while discussing some serious issues involving 911. It was funny but at the same time the book taught me alot about hijabs and the other customs and traditions of muslims. It was quite educational and I really liked how I could relate to Amal. The thoughts she shared as a narrator were quite similar to the average teenager’s. It was amazing how the author, being much older than the character she “played”, knew so much about teenage life. Although I know that the author was a teen herself once upon a time, it was great to see that she still knew what it was like to be a teen.
    I also read “Shoot the Moon” by Billie Letts it was an amazing mystery although it didn’t involve much suspense. The main character was quite easy to relate to and I could quite easily put people i know in the place of the other characters. It was quite easy to let my imagination run wild and feel as though the story was taking place in my own neighbourhood.
    I just loved both of these books.

    Reply
  5. hey, S.A, i have a friend who read “does my head look big in this” she said it was AWESOME, and hilarious, she couldn’t even put it down; it was that good!!!

    Reply
  6. hey, S.A, i have a friend who read “does my head look big in this” she said it was AWESOME, and hilarious, she couldn’t even put it down; it was that good!!!

    Reply
  7. I was reading “does my head look big in this”, but I couldn’t finish it, cuz it was on hold. It seemed like an interseting book. I’m still reading “Pride and Prejudice”(been reading it since a few weeks).

    Reply
  8. I was reading “does my head look big in this”, but I couldn’t finish it, cuz it was on hold. It seemed like an interseting book. I’m still reading “Pride and Prejudice”(been reading it since a few weeks).

    Reply
  9. I am also reading these non-fiction books on how to improve your eyesight, etc. I thought it might contain those yoga eye excercises or something. Very misleading, they only talk about their patients but hardly tell you what to do about your own eyes.

    Reply
  10. I am also reading these non-fiction books on how to improve your eyesight, etc. I thought it might contain those yoga eye excercises or something. Very misleading, they only talk about their patients but hardly tell you what to do about your own eyes.

    Reply
  11. I’ve recently been reading a non-fiction called “THe kid who named Pluto.” Its extremely surprising that some of these major inventions were first made by kids and teens, just like us!

    Reply
  12. I’ve recently been reading a non-fiction called “THe kid who named Pluto.” Its extremely surprising that some of these major inventions were first made by kids and teens, just like us!

    Reply
  13. I read Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry. Such a beautiful yet sad novel. The vivid images and symbols in the story was unbelievably amazing.
    If anyone’s interested in a general synopsis, it’s about a man named Gustad Noble, who was a typical family man, but after a mysterious letter from an old family friend, everything else starts to go wrong. His daughter gets deathly ill, his son refuses to go to IIT, and more. It is set in Bombay, India, and was a great read. 🙂

    Reply
  14. I read Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry. Such a beautiful yet sad novel. The vivid images and symbols in the story was unbelievably amazing.
    If anyone’s interested in a general synopsis, it’s about a man named Gustad Noble, who was a typical family man, but after a mysterious letter from an old family friend, everything else starts to go wrong. His daughter gets deathly ill, his son refuses to go to IIT, and more. It is set in Bombay, India, and was a great read. 🙂

    Reply
  15. I read “The Bite of the Mango”, by Mariatu Kamara and Susan McClelland, which is one of the non-fiction books on the booklist (although I think it’s for next week). It’s really, really good!
    I’m also reading “Cello” by William Pleeth, also a non-fiction book.

    Reply
  16. I read “The Bite of the Mango”, by Mariatu Kamara and Susan McClelland, which is one of the non-fiction books on the booklist (although I think it’s for next week). It’s really, really good!
    I’m also reading “Cello” by William Pleeth, also a non-fiction book.

    Reply
  17. well, im reading Click and it’s a pretty good book and it’s really about how to take pictures. But, i also love to read fantasy, horror, sc-fi, mystery and maybe some high school life as well. But, im trying to get ore books to read because there are only 2 more weeks before school starts and i wanted to read more before school starts

    Reply
  18. well, im reading Click and it’s a pretty good book and it’s really about how to take pictures. But, i also love to read fantasy, horror, sc-fi, mystery and maybe some high school life as well. But, im trying to get ore books to read because there are only 2 more weeks before school starts and i wanted to read more before school starts

    Reply
  19. omg…i read a new book and it was totaly awesome!!!!!
    i luv the book so much im gonna read it again cuz i didn’t really get it???????
    so i gotta a question…what kind of books make sense????

    Reply
  20. omg…i read a new book and it was totaly awesome!!!!!
    i luv the book so much im gonna read it again cuz i didn’t really get it???????
    so i gotta a question…what kind of books make sense????

    Reply
  21. i read the book….cruch de jour…it was really good….i never knew life could be sooo overcoming!!

    Reply
  22. i read the book….cruch de jour…it was really good….i never knew life could be sooo overcoming!!

    Reply
  23. hey hey….i figured something out….”speak”…..
    the book…yay…ims o happy to have read it…it was truly inspiring!

    Reply
  24. hey hey….i figured something out….”speak”…..
    the book…yay…ims o happy to have read it…it was truly inspiring!

    Reply
  25. i also read the most awesomest book ever!!!!!!
    little brother…here’s a little discritoin…
    Little Brother is Cory Doctorow’s political reaction to 9/11. The way security steals people’s rights, and the way governments treat everyday citizens like insane terrorists. It follows the story of Marcus a teenager with an aptitude for computers. Mostly he is interested in the same things as most teenage boys: videogames, girls, computers, and girls but when Marcus and a group of his friends are caught near the scene of one of the worst terrorist attacks in San Francisco’s history the Department of Homeland Security kidnapps them and holds them prisoner for days on end. After his release and seeing how “security” is being used to blindfold people into giving up their rights Marcus realizes he must fight back with every ounce of his skill. He creates an underground internet system only accessible by him and a group of friends and tries to sabotage the DHS’s attempts to treat everyone like criminals. His fight is difficult, filled with false media coverage that claims he is a terrorist, tear gas, punk rock ,and very spicy burritos. Oh yeah and a little high school romance with a girl crazier than he is. This book is also filled with technological tidbits from one of the smartest and most political minds in the field. As the book says, DON’T TRUST ANYONE OVER 25. And have fun reading.
    wicked eh????

    Reply
  26. i also read the most awesomest book ever!!!!!!
    little brother…here’s a little discritoin…
    Little Brother is Cory Doctorow’s political reaction to 9/11. The way security steals people’s rights, and the way governments treat everyday citizens like insane terrorists. It follows the story of Marcus a teenager with an aptitude for computers. Mostly he is interested in the same things as most teenage boys: videogames, girls, computers, and girls but when Marcus and a group of his friends are caught near the scene of one of the worst terrorist attacks in San Francisco’s history the Department of Homeland Security kidnapps them and holds them prisoner for days on end. After his release and seeing how “security” is being used to blindfold people into giving up their rights Marcus realizes he must fight back with every ounce of his skill. He creates an underground internet system only accessible by him and a group of friends and tries to sabotage the DHS’s attempts to treat everyone like criminals. His fight is difficult, filled with false media coverage that claims he is a terrorist, tear gas, punk rock ,and very spicy burritos. Oh yeah and a little high school romance with a girl crazier than he is. This book is also filled with technological tidbits from one of the smartest and most political minds in the field. As the book says, DON’T TRUST ANYONE OVER 25. And have fun reading.
    wicked eh????

    Reply
  27. to tasfia…..hey i know a good book you might wanna read….it doesn’t have much mystery…but i couldn’t put it down…..ingo is the name of the book…hope u like it!!!!

    Reply
  28. to tasfia…..hey i know a good book you might wanna read….it doesn’t have much mystery…but i couldn’t put it down…..ingo is the name of the book…hope u like it!!!!

    Reply
  29. hey srah…this ones for u….i also read fire study..and boy it was good…keep posting book titles i think i have read some u read!
    happy readings!

    Reply
  30. hey srah…this ones for u….i also read fire study..and boy it was good…keep posting book titles i think i have read some u read!
    happy readings!

    Reply
  31. yay again…i also got the book…the deep again…im so happy i got my hands on the book….can’t wait to read it again tonight in the bathroom…..thats where i reaD!! fOr FuN!!

    Reply
  32. yay again…i also got the book…the deep again…im so happy i got my hands on the book….can’t wait to read it again tonight in the bathroom…..thats where i reaD!! fOr FuN!!

    Reply
  33. hey
    Dooley Takes the Fall
    by Norah McClintock
    Being a teenager can be scary! One day your youth makes you feel invincible, and the next day you’re sliding down a slippery slope of wrong turns and bad choices, yet you have nothing to grab onto to stop the fall. Do you continue on the current path carved by your former mistakes and their present implications, or do you struggle to free yourself from the tentacles of the past that threaten to drag you down? Award winning author Norah McClintock invites you to join Ryan Dooley, a troubled young man, in confronting and resolving these issues in her compelling novel Dooley Takes the Fall.
    Abandoned by his father and neglected by his mother at an early age, Dooley quickly slips into a world of drugs, alcohol, violence and crime. After an 18-month incarceration, Dooley’s free fall is broken when his uncle takes him in, enrolls him in a school, and forces him to get a job. Determined to turn his life around, Dooley pushes hard against the walls of prejudice erected by the police, who wish to remove a kid with a troubled past off the street by sending him back to prison for an unresolved murder, and by the school administration, who desire to distance themselves from a youth with a criminal record. Will Dooley succeed in freeing himself from the shackles of prejudice and injustice by putting the past behind him and regaining control of his life? Read this immersive novel and find out! I strongly recommend reading this book.
    i wrote down the discription to give u a brief notice of what the books bout!!!!
    have fun reading it!!!

    Reply
  34. hey
    Dooley Takes the Fall
    by Norah McClintock
    Being a teenager can be scary! One day your youth makes you feel invincible, and the next day you’re sliding down a slippery slope of wrong turns and bad choices, yet you have nothing to grab onto to stop the fall. Do you continue on the current path carved by your former mistakes and their present implications, or do you struggle to free yourself from the tentacles of the past that threaten to drag you down? Award winning author Norah McClintock invites you to join Ryan Dooley, a troubled young man, in confronting and resolving these issues in her compelling novel Dooley Takes the Fall.
    Abandoned by his father and neglected by his mother at an early age, Dooley quickly slips into a world of drugs, alcohol, violence and crime. After an 18-month incarceration, Dooley’s free fall is broken when his uncle takes him in, enrolls him in a school, and forces him to get a job. Determined to turn his life around, Dooley pushes hard against the walls of prejudice erected by the police, who wish to remove a kid with a troubled past off the street by sending him back to prison for an unresolved murder, and by the school administration, who desire to distance themselves from a youth with a criminal record. Will Dooley succeed in freeing himself from the shackles of prejudice and injustice by putting the past behind him and regaining control of his life? Read this immersive novel and find out! I strongly recommend reading this book.
    i wrote down the discription to give u a brief notice of what the books bout!!!!
    have fun reading it!!!

    Reply
  35. oh yah..im gonna read
    No Laughter Here
    by Rita Williams-Garcia
    No Laughter Here by Rita Williams-Garcia is an inspirational book that shows how friendship can withstand the test of life’s circumstances. Childhood seems so innocent, but to Akilah and Victoria they see the ugly side to a child’s life. While their traditions and culture varies, Akilah and Victoria share a bond that is undeniable. While their family values threaten to separate the two girls, they come to realize that despite age-old traditions and the pain that they seem to contain, they can still come together and connect in a way that words cannot describe. Ms. Williams-Gracia has created a special book, one which tells a story that everyone should read.
    a little disription outha do it!!!!

    Reply
  36. oh yah..im gonna read
    No Laughter Here
    by Rita Williams-Garcia
    No Laughter Here by Rita Williams-Garcia is an inspirational book that shows how friendship can withstand the test of life’s circumstances. Childhood seems so innocent, but to Akilah and Victoria they see the ugly side to a child’s life. While their traditions and culture varies, Akilah and Victoria share a bond that is undeniable. While their family values threaten to separate the two girls, they come to realize that despite age-old traditions and the pain that they seem to contain, they can still come together and connect in a way that words cannot describe. Ms. Williams-Gracia has created a special book, one which tells a story that everyone should read.
    a little disription outha do it!!!!

    Reply
  37. I read Peeled by Joan Bauer. It’s a pretty good book abt a high school newspaper crew that goes out of their way to solve a mystery about “the ghost” in town. It was great to see that a couple of teenagers were able to do so much for their town.
    I’m actually waiting on a few books from the library, mostly sequels to books I’ve read this summer. I really, really hope I get them before school starts!
    On another note, don’t you just hate when you read a book a while back and then you go to the library and it looks interesting and you pick it up and bring it home only to realize that you’ve already read it? grrrrr 😛

    Reply
  38. I read Peeled by Joan Bauer. It’s a pretty good book abt a high school newspaper crew that goes out of their way to solve a mystery about “the ghost” in town. It was great to see that a couple of teenagers were able to do so much for their town.
    I’m actually waiting on a few books from the library, mostly sequels to books I’ve read this summer. I really, really hope I get them before school starts!
    On another note, don’t you just hate when you read a book a while back and then you go to the library and it looks interesting and you pick it up and bring it home only to realize that you’ve already read it? grrrrr 😛

    Reply
  39. recently i finished reading Almost Alica by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor . This book was actually one of my favourite books. It really explained/was about what we go through in our lives as a teenager. Im REALLY looking forward to reading the rest of the books which will come out soon! but if your planing to read the Alice sirouse ( srry bad spelling ) you should start from the first book .

    Reply
  40. recently i finished reading Almost Alica by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor . This book was actually one of my favourite books. It really explained/was about what we go through in our lives as a teenager. Im REALLY looking forward to reading the rest of the books which will come out soon! but if your planing to read the Alice sirouse ( srry bad spelling ) you should start from the first book .

    Reply
  41. I just finished reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian author who opened the door to rich African literature. This book is famous all around the world. It is about a man’s strong pride for his tribe(village), his arrogance, and his tragic flaw in life. Readers get to know his thoughts about the settlement of the British missionaries in the surrounding villages. Great Read!

    Reply
  42. I just finished reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian author who opened the door to rich African literature. This book is famous all around the world. It is about a man’s strong pride for his tribe(village), his arrogance, and his tragic flaw in life. Readers get to know his thoughts about the settlement of the British missionaries in the surrounding villages. Great Read!

    Reply
  43. @Gunjan: If you enjoyed “Things Fall Apart” I highly recommend “Anthills of the Savannah”, also by Achebe. One of my absolute favourite novels of all time.
    “The Famished Road” by Ben Okri (also Nigerian) is another wonderful African novel.

    Reply
  44. @Gunjan: If you enjoyed “Things Fall Apart” I highly recommend “Anthills of the Savannah”, also by Achebe. One of my absolute favourite novels of all time.
    “The Famished Road” by Ben Okri (also Nigerian) is another wonderful African novel.

    Reply
  45. talking about mystery novels, in grade 7, i read “the baby-sitters club super mystery # 4-baby-sitters’ christmas chiller”
    that book was soooo coool, it was like the best book i read in grade 7…

    Reply
  46. talking about mystery novels, in grade 7, i read “the baby-sitters club super mystery # 4-baby-sitters’ christmas chiller”
    that book was soooo coool, it was like the best book i read in grade 7…

    Reply
  47. ‘High School Bites’ is a GRRRRR ATEEEE book.
    by Liza Conard.
    It was all about a girl named Lucy who is a student at Pacific Cedat High school.
    Lucy just discovered that shes a descendant of the lovely Lucy in Bram Stoker’s DRACULA and that vampires really do exist.
    If you are a vampire book lover than this one is the book to pick up. Go for it.

    Reply
  48. ‘High School Bites’ is a GRRRRR ATEEEE book.
    by Liza Conard.
    It was all about a girl named Lucy who is a student at Pacific Cedat High school.
    Lucy just discovered that shes a descendant of the lovely Lucy in Bram Stoker’s DRACULA and that vampires really do exist.
    If you are a vampire book lover than this one is the book to pick up. Go for it.

    Reply
  49. I’ve been reading “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe. The writing resembles the style of fables or old culture tales, it’s quite refreshing from what I’ve read before. It’s actually sort of comforting… I feel as if I’m being taken back, being told a story round a fireplace or something ahaha. It’s good for bedtime reading =)

    Reply
  50. I’ve been reading “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe. The writing resembles the style of fables or old culture tales, it’s quite refreshing from what I’ve read before. It’s actually sort of comforting… I feel as if I’m being taken back, being told a story round a fireplace or something ahaha. It’s good for bedtime reading =)

    Reply
  51. hey Tasfia, it’s great that you took the time to read my comment and it’s great to know that i’m not the only who liked that book. Thanks for your comment. 🙂

    Reply
  52. hey Tasfia, it’s great that you took the time to read my comment and it’s great to know that i’m not the only who liked that book. Thanks for your comment. 🙂

    Reply
  53. Today I fnished readin ‘Evernight’ by Claudia Gray. so amazing.
    That book is about vampires. It is a dangerous romance novel. If you are a teen who like vampire and romance novels, then this is the one you should go for.

    Reply
  54. Today I fnished readin ‘Evernight’ by Claudia Gray. so amazing.
    That book is about vampires. It is a dangerous romance novel. If you are a teen who like vampire and romance novels, then this is the one you should go for.

    Reply
  55. I read many different books when ever I had time this summer. One of the books I read were called “The Handmaid’s Tale”, this book really different from what I read in other books. I was very dissapointed about the ending though. It was still a very good book to read, but I felt very disturbed in some parts of the book based on the level on how the women were being treated. The storyline is just amazing and realistic in some ways.
    Another book I finished reading is called “Where Rainbows End” by Cecelia Ahern, author of PS, I Love You. This book reminded me of the typical romance novel or movie you would watch. I did enjoy the book, but there were many misunderstandings which made the book seem to be kind of depressing in a way, but I suppose the ending made up for it.
    The next book I finished is called “She Went All The Way” by Meg Cabot. I really did like reading this book, mainly because it was hilarious and the story line was also great. Both combined together makes an amazing book.

    Reply
  56. I read many different books when ever I had time this summer. One of the books I read were called “The Handmaid’s Tale”, this book really different from what I read in other books. I was very dissapointed about the ending though. It was still a very good book to read, but I felt very disturbed in some parts of the book based on the level on how the women were being treated. The storyline is just amazing and realistic in some ways.
    Another book I finished reading is called “Where Rainbows End” by Cecelia Ahern, author of PS, I Love You. This book reminded me of the typical romance novel or movie you would watch. I did enjoy the book, but there were many misunderstandings which made the book seem to be kind of depressing in a way, but I suppose the ending made up for it.
    The next book I finished is called “She Went All The Way” by Meg Cabot. I really did like reading this book, mainly because it was hilarious and the story line was also great. Both combined together makes an amazing book.

    Reply
  57. Last week I read “I Am The Messenger” by Markus Zusak. Mr. Zusak is a brilliant writer, since reading “I Am The Messenger” I am interested in reading more of his books such as “The Book Thief”. I was shocked in parts of the story especially at the ending. While reading it I could not put it down, I just had to find out what would happen next. I would recommend this book to everyone.
    Basically, it is about a guy named Ed Kennedy, who one day inadvertadly stops a bank robbery. Ever since the bank robbery Ed starts to recieve cards in the mail, with instructions for various tasks. Ed completes the instructions helping people along the way. Until the last question remains, who is sending these cards.
    This book will keep you on your toes! Make sure to borrow it soon.

    Reply
  58. Last week I read “I Am The Messenger” by Markus Zusak. Mr. Zusak is a brilliant writer, since reading “I Am The Messenger” I am interested in reading more of his books such as “The Book Thief”. I was shocked in parts of the story especially at the ending. While reading it I could not put it down, I just had to find out what would happen next. I would recommend this book to everyone.
    Basically, it is about a guy named Ed Kennedy, who one day inadvertadly stops a bank robbery. Ever since the bank robbery Ed starts to recieve cards in the mail, with instructions for various tasks. Ed completes the instructions helping people along the way. Until the last question remains, who is sending these cards.
    This book will keep you on your toes! Make sure to borrow it soon.

    Reply
  59. omg omg omg…im at the library and guess wat???
    i got the book wake again…but this time i have to read it to my cuzin….she 10…and has a book report thing to do!!!!!

    Reply
  60. omg omg omg…im at the library and guess wat???
    i got the book wake again…but this time i have to read it to my cuzin….she 10…and has a book report thing to do!!!!!

    Reply
  61. @Shahla Smith a.k.a Shahla L: i read the whole twilight saga… it was great… i obvoiusly recommend it… ; )
    u wanna know wat happens in New Moon?????

    Reply
  62. @Shahla Smith a.k.a Shahla L: i read the whole twilight saga… it was great… i obvoiusly recommend it… ; )
    u wanna know wat happens in New Moon?????

    Reply

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