I'm back, and returned to a large pile of books on the coffee table (thoughtfully brought in by my neighbor who was feeding the world's most voracious goldfish). As always there were several I did not request and don't plan to review but a few I've been waiting for and was most happy to see. To wit:

THE CRUISERS by Walter Dean Myers where a group of 8th graders start up an alternative newspaper in the school and everyone learns the value of democracy and "what it costs to stand up for a cause". I think this is the start of a series. EELS by James Prosek who never fails to impress me when he writes about the watery world. This one is obviously about eels and Prosek traveled from New Zealand to the Sargasso Sea in pursuit of the fish. It's also illustrated with some of his etchings. (I love his work.) ROSE SEES RED by Cecil Castellucci - set during the 1980s in NYC with Cold War overtures and, frankly, it's by Castellucci so I really don't care what it's about because I know it will be good. Much anticipated around these parts. JANIS JOPLIN: RISE UP SINGING by Ann Angel. A bio of Janis for teens. Color me happy. SKY SAILORS by David Bristow and LINCOLN'S FLYING SPIES by Gail Jarrow. Who would have thought I'd see two NF books for teens on the history of ballooning at the same time? Very exciting for curious and/or reluctant readers. Who can resist ballooning explorers? And finally SKWALKERS by David Weitzman about the Mohawk ironworkers. I have been waiting for a book on this subject for ages (I was really wishing one was around for the GLW book fair this year). Talk about forgotten history! Yea to Roaring Brook for bringing this to the masses!

There was also the latest issue of BOOKLIST which include (of course) several books of note. Louise Penny has a new mystery out, BURY YOUR DEAD which is about the missing remains of Samuel de Champlain. My French Canadian heart gave a triple beat at this one - always nice to see Canadian history show up in a genre title (where it is likely to be well read). It got a starred review with this last note: "Penny hits every note perfectly in what is one of the most elaborately constructed mysteries in years." I'm seeing Christmas wishlist for sure.

Annie Proulx has a memoir coming out, BIRD CLOUD. It's about building a house and also her family history. Honestly, I'll give pretty much anything she writes a shot. Danica McKeller has a new book out in her math series: HOT X: ALGEBRA EXPOSED. I've never looked at these but they are quite popular among the YA set and I can imagine why - I had a horrible time with math in high school and really would have enjoyed a primer on the subject. And as I was a devoted SEVENTEEN reader, I'm sure the girly attitude would have gone over well also. I just think it is cool that she is doing this and I hope she keeps at it. Finally, A HUNDRED THOUSAND DRAGONS by Dolores Gordon-Smith also received a starred review. This is a mystery set in post WWII that channels a bit of Lawrence of Arabia and a bit of Indiana Jones. They pretty much had me there so I'm looking forward to it. (Also listed as a good choice for YA readers.)

And it's not in Booklist but Sarah Vowell has a new one coming out next year - UNFAMILIAR FISHES. It's about the US annexing Hawaii and I can't wait to read it.

More to come this week on adventures in the UAF library, what happens when your agent can't sell your book (or what is happening to me) and my utter delight at discovering a YA mystery series. It's from Canada and I love it. You will too, promise.