Photos of Forks & some great end-of-summer-vacation reading lists!

I'm just back from a fun vacation on the Olympic Peninsula - and of course no trip to that part of the world would be complete without a visit to Forks! Famous as the setting of Stephenie Meyers's Twilight books, you will find the friendly guides at the visitors' bureau ready with a map showing highlights around town. I've pasted in a few photos below - but do go see for yourself if you can! The beaches and forests around Forks are full of atmosphere, making it easy to see how Meyers was inspired to set her vampire and werewolf adventures in that gorgeous part of the world.

Meanwhile, as we contemplate returning to school in just a few weeks, there is still time to enjoy some relaxing time with a good book that you are reading purely for the fun of it. Right now I'm in the middle of a great young adult novel, perfect for grades 7-12 or so, called King of the Screwups by K.L. Going. It's about a boy who, no matter how hard he tries, just never seems to get things right. After his latest debacle, his father kicks him out one week before the start of his senior year of high school and he finds himself living in a trailer with an uncle he barely knows. Liam is an engaging character and the book is surprisingly full of humor considering the basic premise!

Below are two great websites where you can find reading suggestions. We'll be voting for books nominated for these awards at school next spring, so start reading now and you'll be eligible to choose your favorites!

• The Young Reader's Choice Award (for readers in grades 6-12 in the Pacific Northwest)
• The Sasquatch Award (for readers in grades 3-6 in Washington state)

Of course even if you live elsewhere, you can still enjoy browsing these lists and finding some great books chosen by school librarians for literary merit and appeal to young people!

Dr. Cullen's reserved parking spot at the Forks Hospital!


The home of the Swan family: Bella and her father.

My daughter and my best friend from high school in front of the Twilight display case put together by Forks city hall employees. It is located in the police station/city hall building.