Well then, you might try enrolling in either Master Dreadthorn's School for Wayward Villains or Blatt School for the Insanely Gifted. Granted, you must be the child of a notorious evil entity, such as Dracula, The Big Bad Wolf, or a warlock and be lacking in evil to normally qualify for entry into the former school, but heck, you could always give it a shot. "Gifted" has a lot of definitions. The deciding factor for entry into the later school is that you have the ability to invent something the headmaster might want to steal from you, thereby increasing his fame, fortune, and power — but you don't know this of course. Trust me, if you do have the opportunity to attend one of these schools, you will gain a whole new perspective on education.

Villain School : good curses evil by Stephanie S. Sanders — Join Rune, Jez, and Wolf Junior as they try to succeed at a nearly impossible Plot in order to avoid being expelled for not being bad enough.

Here are some great new books if you are a fan of sci-fi, fantasy, and/or supernatural stories, especially those with a touch of romance.

The girl of fire and thorns by Rae Carson

Entwined by Heather Dixon

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Chime by Franny Billingsley

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Across the universe by Beth Revis

A murder of crows flew off to the forbidden Impassable Wilderness with the baby brother you were supposed to be watching? This is just the first difficult quandary that Prue is forced to deal with in Wildwood by Colin Meloy (lead singer and songwriter for The Decemberists). Well, as you might guess, Prue does elect to sneak into the wilds, followed by a nosy classmate, Curtis. This intrepid duo soon learn they have entered a realm in the midst of violent upheaval. One part of the dark and magical wood is warring with at least one other section. A simple rescue mission explodes into mortal battles featuring incredible creatures and humans as various factions vie for power and control. Honeyed deceit, brutal honesty, and difficult choices force Prue and Curtis to mature quickly. They must tap unknown inner strengths as they risk their lives for a greater cause. Readers rapidly become engaged with all the characters in this eco-fantasy full of twists, turns, and humorous episodes. An unexpected choice at the end leaves one anxiously awaiting Book II in The Wildwood Chronicles. Let's hope Meloy is able to maintain this quality and momentum as the series progresses. This is truly a 'must-read' for all fantasy lovers!

October 4, 4:00-5:30 PM
A talk with author Merrie Haskell Fuller

The princess curse by Merrie Haskell — Twelve princesses suffer from a puzzling—and downright silly—curse. Ridiculous though the curse may be, whoever breaks it will win a handsome reward. Sharp-witted Reveka, an herbalist’s apprentice, has little use for princesses, with their snooty attitudes and impractical clothing. She does, however, have use for the reward money that could buy her a position as a master herbalist.

This debut tween novel is part fairy tale, part myth, and wholly original. Merrie will discuss the book and the process of getting published at the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library, Gallery (use Diag entrance) 913 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI. Public parking is available in the structure at 650 S. Forest, just south of S. University. Free and open to the public.

Book sale and signing to follow, courtesy of Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room. Light refreshments (cake!).

Are you in the mood for an awesome time-travel triology that promises to have a Twilight-ish romance flavor to it too? Then you'd better get started with book #1, Ruby Red by Kirstin Gier now. Gwen lives in London with her mother's rather eccentric family. For years all the attention has been focused on her cousin Charlotte who is supposed to be carrying the family time-travel gene and preparing her for life in the past. However, when Gwen turns 16, she is the one who suddenly starts disappearing into the past. This shocking news sends tremors through the whole family, as well as the Guardians, the old, powerful and dangerous secret society that monitors time travelers and seeks to control what they do. Gwen is a convincing modern teen with a great best friend and mom, who seeking to protect her daughter, ends up making matters more difficult for her and others. A handsome, albeit rather conceited, 19-year-old Gideon adds a romantic element as her destined fellow time-traveler. Action, adventure, humor, mystery, and totally believable characters make this novel a real page-turner. First published in Germany, Ruby Red has enjoyed great success throughout Europe.

If you liked Harry Potter, then give these a try:

Stolen by Sarah Prineas; illustrations by Antonio Javier Caparo

The hound of Rowan by Henry H. Neff

The lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke; translated from the German by Anthea Bell

If you liked books like the Warriors series, then try these:

The capture by Kathryn Lasky

Varjak Paw by S.F. Said; illustrated by Dave McKean

Redwall by Brian Jacques; illustrated by Gary Chalk

Sunwing by Kenneth Oppel

Time cat; by Alexander, Lloyd

Ratha's creature: the first book of the Named by Clare Bell

The Warlock, in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott is part of an awesome, intricate fantasy series. You will be shocked and amazed at what unfolds in this book. If you love multi-layered fantasies, and have not yet delved into the worlds, shadow-worlds, and complex characters created by Scott, you must! In this latest installment you will not believe how gullible Josh is. Has Dr. Dee altered his mind somehow? His sister Sophie has no clue whom she can trust anymore. Ancient civilizations and shadowlands, such as Atlantis, are on the brink of chaos and collapse, which would prevent our known world from ever coming into existance. There are so many unexpected shifts in characters you thought you knew and so many plot twists, my head is still reeling. (Hint: If you want to know what a vimana is, check out a book on ancient Indic/Indian mythology, or cheat by reading the author's note at the end of the book, or I suppose you could Google it.) Whatever you do, Don't read the last chapter first! It will totally spoil this action-packed, mind-bending adventure.

Have you enjoyed such books as Beautiful Creatures, Gone, and Graceling? If you like creative storylines, adventure, and just a dash of romance, then here's a list for you:

City of bones by Cassandra Clare

Need by Carrie Jones

A great and terrible beauty by Libba Bray

Poison study by Maria V. Snyder

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Even if you haven't read the prequel, Fly by Night (as I haven't), you will still fly through Fly Trap by Frances Hardinge, staying up far later than you should to find out what happens next. Mosca Mye is one feisty, clever, courageous, endearing super-heroine ready to take on evil and corruption regardless of the danger it puts her in. She has just escaped from the city of Mandelion, where she, her sometimes con-man friend Eponymous Clent, and her goose guard Saracen helped foment a revolution. Now the trio is trapped in the wealthy, but "stinkin', rotten" city of Toll that operates like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Hidden behind the white-washed daytime walls is another entire city of oppressed people who are only allowed to venture out at night; a dark time ruled by an underground syndicate of Locksmiths. While trying to invent a scheme to raise money to pay the high toll to get out of Toll, Mosca and her friends become embroiled in the city's twisting politics, a kidnapping, and plots and counter-plots that leave you guessing and breathless at the end of each chapter. Mosca's world is so vividly created that you feel as if you are right there with her and the characters are people you know.