Authors Speak Out For Libraries!

Greensburg Salem Students Read Books, Too!!!

Animal Liberation by Peter Singer

Posted by Alyssa Baker, senior, Greensburg Salem High School

Animal Liberation is an extremely well written account of animal practices in the laboratory and factory farms. The real life encounters Singer discusses are enough to wake up a reader and become aware of what is truly happening to animals all over the world for meaningless reasons. Whether one is an activist or just a civilized person this should at least change the viewpoint on the treatment of animals. The first chapter titled ‘All Animals are Equal’ would be considered common sense to some, but yet many people do not realize or fully understand the rights and capabilities of different animals. The next chapter, ‘Tools for Research’ are just some accounts of animals such as monkeys, cats, dogs, rabbits that are tested inhumanely for research that is not helpful or relevant to anything. An example is shocking a dog so many times that they acquire ‘learned helplessness’. The experiment holds a dog on one side of a fence and shocks them on that side. They then jump to the other side where they are also shocked. Eventually, the dog learns that he will be shocked regardless of which side of the fence he is on so he just waits for the shock to be over. Most animals, as well as people, would give up trying to get from one side of the fence to the other if they were going to be shocked either way. This to me either way is common sense. The third chapter titled, “Down on the Factory Farm” includes the inhumane treatment to all sorts of animals including cows, pigs, and chickens. This is a very difficult chapter: readers beware. If one can make it past this graphic paragraph it is all downhill from there. The next chapter introduces vegetarianism and the benefits to the animals, environment, and other people. Finally, the last chapter discusses how the views of animals were brought about and the history behind it. I think everyone should read it just to get a glimpse of what is really happening behind where our food comes from and what truly happens to the animals. Even if one is not interested in becoming a vegetarian at least they can be informed and given the knowledge to make decisions before using products tested on animals and eating different kinds of food. “Animal Liberation” is a very beneficial book to read and one of the best I’ve ever read.

I finally finished The Passage by Justin Cronin!

Seven hundred and sixty six pages! Seven hundred and sixty six pages! Months to finish it but I really wanted to finish it! It held my interest the whole time. I had post-it notes stuck all over the inside of the cover to help me keep track of the many different characters and who was a "good guy" and who was a "bad guy". Very Stephen King-ish. Have you ever read The Stand, by Stephen King? Something like that. End of the human population due to human greed, escaped virus that leaves survivors as "virals" or what you would think of as a vampire. Believable but scary!

And then I get to the end...and I hated it. There was no end. It just ended. Are you kidding me?!!! After all that, it just ends?! So upset! I went looking for reviews to see what other people had to say about the end and it turns out, it's supposedly a trilogy! A trilogy?!! Are you kidding me?!! I wished I'd known that because I don't think I'd have been so disappointed! I really thought it was going to all wrap up so neatly! I couldn't wait! But no! Nothing!

I would definitely read the next one. I need to know what has happened to Peter and Amy and their group of survivors. I liked these people and I want them to survive! I guess I'll just have to wait for the next 800 pages!

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, I can't stop thinking about it!

I'd read alot of press about this book. Lots of reviews, all good, and I couldn't wait to read it. It didn't disappoint! I really liked this book! So cool. It really got me thinking and I can't get it out of my head. What a different kind of storyline. So wild! I mean, to be able to taste the feelings of the person who made the food you're eating! It sounds crazy but it makes perfect sense when you're reading the book. What a curse! What a gift! So much to think about! And there's more! Great surprise ending. I'm still blown away by it! Wow. So sad! So thought provoking! I loved it. Did I mention I loved it? Holy cow! :)

Lauren Barnholdt's newest, author of Two-Way Street

One of my most popular books in the library is Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt. It's one of those books that I call a "sure thing". I haven't had a girl tell me yet they didn't like it. So when I saw Barnholdt had a new book out, I was excited. I can always use another "sure thing". And I liked it. It was an easy read. I finished it in one day and it kept my attention the whole time. Good characters, good storyline, good. Is it as good as Two-Way Street? I don't know because I've never actually read Two-Way Street. Let me know. I think you girls will like it.

Let's talk about Will Grayson...

I liked him. I really did. He's funny, smart, sweet, kind, and cute! And I loved his best friend, Tiny, too. Great characters! Great friendship! I liked the story. I just thought it might have been a little to...optimistic? I'm not sure the real world is as kind and tolerant as the world of Will and Tiny. I wish it was, but I don't think it is. And for that reason, the story felt a little too "easy" to me. I'd love to live in a world where every person is respected and embraced for who they are. I definitely believe "that being the person God made you cannot separate you from God's love." I'm just not sure the rest of the world believes that. I'm hopeful though. :)

Newberry winner! And I know why!

I heard alot about this book at the librarian's convention I went to this past spring. Saying how it was definitely a middle school read but adults were going to love it, too. Calling it a "time traveler's wife" for young people, really great story. Well they hit the nail on the head! I loved it. The beginning was simple enough, I even thought to myself that it was just okay. Made me smile a couple times, remembering my own 6th grade self. But the ending? Holy crap!! Incredible!! Cried like a baby on my front porch. Reread it several times (the ending). I'm still thinking about it! I loved it. Well worth the read! I'd recommend it to everyone! Fab!