Monday, May 18, 2026

If You Lemony Snicket . . .

 Lemony Snicket has written two great series -- The Series of Unfortunate Events and All the Wrong Questions -- as well as several standalone books.  But what should you read after reading all of her books?  Try one of these great read-alikes for Lemony Snicket . . . .

The Problim Children by Natalie Lloyd
Seven siblings are forced by the destruction of their swamp home to move into their grandpa's mansion, but greedy neighbors plot to steal their secrets and place them in homes far away from each other.

Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson
Deciding that he must sire a child to carry on his tradition of Loathing Light and Blighting the Beautiful, the Great Wizard Arriman announces a competition among the witches of Todcaster, one of whom will marry him.

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
Shouldn't we be orphans?" one of the Willoughby children suggests one day. The four are, after all, part of an old-fashioned kind of family, and their parents--well, their parents are not all that one would hope for. So they concoct a diabolical plot to turn themselves into worthy and winsome orphans. Little do they know that Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby have already begun to formulate their own thoroughly despicable plan inspired by another favorite bedtime story: the tale of Hansel and Gretel. 

Horton Halfpott by Tom Angleberger
Horton, an upstanding kitchen boy in a castle in nineteenth-century England, becomes embroiled in a mystery surrounding a series of thefts, which is also connected to the pursuit of a very eligible and wealthy young lady's affections.


More Books --
Bad Magic by Pseudonymous Bosch
The Crims by Kate Davies
The House With a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs
The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street by Lauren Oliver
The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette For Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
The Swifts by Beth Lincoln
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
The Templeton Twins Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken

Monday, May 11, 2026

Super Stories

 Superhero Stories aren't just for little kids!  Superheroes are a popular fandom for all ages.  This week, we're sharing some superhero stories for teens.

Runaways: The Complete Collection, v.1 by Brian K. Vaughan
They were six normal teenagers linked only by their wealthy parents' annual business meeting ... until a chance discovery revealed the shocking truth: their parents are the secret criminal society known as the Pride. For years, the Pride controlled all criminal activity in Los Angeles, ruling the city with an iron fist ... and now, with their true natures exposed, the Pride will take any measures necessary to protect their organization--even if it means taking out their own children. Now on the run from their villainous parents, Nico, Chase, Karolina, Gertrude, Molly and Alex have only each other to rely on.

The Supervillain and Me by Danielle Banas
Living in a world where superheroes are obnoxious bullies, Abby is rescued from a mugging by a vigilante newcomer, a fledgling supervillain who tries to convince her that he is not as evil as reputed and that the city is under a dire threat.

Umbrella Academy: Young Blood by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
The Umbrella Academy has always been extraordinary--ready to leap to superpowered action at a moment’s notice. But now that Five has disappeared and their fame has crested, sometimes the only thing Luther, Diego, Allison, Klaus, Ben, and Viktor want is to be normal... which is much easier said than done, when you’re raised by someone like Hargreeves. For their exacting and tyrannical father figure, nothing is ever enough; which is why, during a dinnertime debriefing on their latest mission, Ben snaps, prompting Klaus to suggest that they all need a change of scenery--just one night of partying like a bunch of average teens. In fact, Klaus knows just the place; there’s a frat house in a neighboring college town that throws weekend blowouts. What could go wrong? 


More Books --
Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu
Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas
How to Date a Superhero (And Not Die Trying) by Cristina Fernandez
Micheal Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans
Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, v.1 by Hideyuki Furuhashi
Renegades by Marissa Meyer
Storm: Dawn of a Goddess by Tiffany D. Jackson
Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend by Alys Arden
Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld