NOT in My Job Description

Well, this blog post is not about a book, but it IS about working in the South.

Believe it or not, there is NEVER a dull moment in the library.  You really never know what you will find!  While most of my "finds" center around discovering new books to read or recommend, a few days ago my library assistant and I made an unwanted discovery.  Yes, as you can see in the picture, we received a visit from a new patron, a baby snake!  This photograph was taken after the little fella was removed from the library, and luckily he had already met his maker.

I love being a librarian, and I wear many "hats."  BUT I must say that, "snake wrangler" is NOT in my job description.

Zombies, Continued: The Dead Tossed Waves

The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
Book 2 in The Forest of Hands and Teeth series

The Dead Tossed Waves is Ryan's second installment of her Zombie-filled YA novels about humans striving to survive during a post apocalyptic world filled with infected Unconsecrated, or Mudo.  Set in a small seaside village called Vista, main character Gabry finds herself unlocking many past secrets about her life and who she really is.  While living in the lighthouse with her mother has always kept her safe from the Mudo, Gabry quickly realizes that one night of teenage rebellion can change everything.

I give this book 4 **** out of 5 stars!
Yet again, Ryan does an excellent job with character development.  Each book provides an extension of previous characters, creating a tangled web of  intricate and complex relationships.  Overall, The Dead Tossed Waves is an intense and interesting read which showcases Ryan's amazing ability to create characters with "normal" teenage problems and then throw them into the thrones of the unnatural, the dark, and the unknown. 

I am currently reading book 3, The Dark and Hollow Places.  Review coming soon!

Zombies! Zombies! Zombies! The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

If you are patiently waiting for AMC's The Walking Dead to start up its second season of its gruesome rendition of Robert Kirkman's Zombie Apocalypse comic, then Best-Selling YA author Carrie Ryan has just the thing you need: a Zombie-filled YA novel.  The first in the series, The Forest of Hands and Teeth takes the reader to a world that has been consumed by the Unconsecrated, humans who have been infected with a horrible disease that kills them, and then Returns them to blood thirsty Zombies.

Mary has lived her entire life within the confines of her village, surrounded by the constant moans of the Unconsecrated that are trying to reach those inside the fence.  The village is ruled by the Sisterhood, and after many tragedies in Mary's life, she finds herself living with the Sisters at the Cathedral, studying to be a Sister, studying to become what she does not believe in.  All the while, she dreams of the ocean and of the stories before the Return.

I give this book * * * * 4 out of 5 stars! 
This book is definitely a page-turner. I highly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a good horror-suspense story.  Ryan has a profound ability to connect the reader with the tragic and grotesque world her characters live in.  Since the first book is left unresolved, I recommend purchasing the entire series.  I am currently reading book 2 in the series, The Dead Tossed Waves. Expect a review at a later date!  Happy Reading!
For more information about Carrie Ryan and her books visit http://www.carrieryan.com/







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